Head Coach: Debra Williams–Woods

Debra Woods begins her 11th year at Florida Community College and her 21st year as a head coach. Debra is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she lettered as a two–sport athlete. She was a member of the Arkansas Razorback Women’s Basketball team from 1982–86. She also helped the Razorbacks to four consecutive 20-plus winning seasons as well as a NCAA bid in the Midwest Region in the 1986 NCAA championships. This was the first NCAA championship appearance in the history of the Arkansas Razorback women’s basketball program. She further proved her athletic ability as a standout member of Arkansas’ track and field team in the triple jump, long jump and the 1600–meter relay. The Eudora, Ark., native received recognition as a highly touted athlete during her prep years. Her high school team was State Runner–up in her junior year with a record of 32–2 and State Champions her senior year with a record of 33–1. The team finished the year ranked 44th in the nation in 1982.

Before Woods came to the FCCJ athletic family, she was the Head Girl’s Basketball Coach at Terry Parker High School for nine years. She also served as the Coordinator of Co-Educational Activities. While at Terry Parker High School, her teams have competed in the District Championship games five times and led her girl’s basketball team to a 6A–District title the ‘93–‘94 season. She set a school record in girl’s basketball for the best record for a season at 23–7 in 1994. She also led the track team to a 5A–Regional Championship in 1994. Woods also served as Assistant Girls Basketball and Track Coach at Andrew Jackson High School during the 1987–88 season.

In 1999, Coach Woods received a distinguished honor as “The First Coast African American Woman in Sports Award” from Clear Channel Communications. This honor was for her contribution to girl’s and women’s sports in the community. She took her FCCJ women to the FCCAA State and Region VIII playoffs during the 2001–02 season finishing with a 24–7 record. With this accomplishment, the team received national recognition during the same year. During the 2005–06 season, she coached the team to a national ranking of 14th in the nation, and received “Coach of the Year” for the Mid-Florida Conference. The team finished out the season ranked 24th in the nation with a 21-8 record. Debra has had much success with the FCCJ Lady Stars basketball program earning a .664 winning percentage. Since her arrival at FCCJ, her teams have kept a top ten ranking in the state.

Woods received her Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, Black Coaches Association, and Professional Women’s Council. She is married to Carlos Woods, and they have a 6-year-old son, Carlos Woods II (CJ).

Assistant Coach: James Thatcher

James Thatcher — Coach “J.J.” — begins his first year with the Florida Community College Women’s Basketball program. He brings six years of coaching experience to FCCJ. Coach J.J. was the Head Assistant-Women’s Basketball Coach at Warner Southern College. He was an Assistant Coach at West wood Hills Christian Academy and Newberry High school where he helped coached the teams to a record of 57-15 placing each of the teams into the playoffs every year. Coach J.J. created his notoriety through the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit where he coached teams and developed his own team called The “Florida Hoopsters.” Coach J.J. is a skilled recruiter and very knowledgeable about the recruiting circuit of female basketball athletes around the state of Florida. He has networked with coaches at all levels and built great rapport with coaches nationally and internationally. He completed his prep years at Shores Christian Academy were he played under three different NCAA Division I coaches. Coach J.J. gets his inspiration from his brother, Darius Williams and family who has helped mold him into what he is today.

Volunteer Assistant Coach: Lamonte Carter

Lamonte Carter begins his first year at Florida Community College as a Volunteer Assistant Coach. During his prep years in Columbus, Ga., he played basketball for two years and competed on the state level all four years of high school in Track and Field.

Lamonte owned and operated several consulting and investment businesses since graduating from Albany State in 1998. He has many years of experience working in real estate investing, financing, and development. Lamonte enjoys working with teenagers, prison and outreach ministry. He also enjoys networking people and resources. He is the president and owner of Oasis Venture Group, LLC. Carter looks to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of team management, mentorship and administrative support to the FCCJ Women’s Basketball program. Along with those responsibilities, he will also be responsible for development of a network of companies for fundraising and community service opportunities for the women’s basketball program.

Lamonte serves as a Test Examiner at the FCCJ South Campus. He is a graduate of Albany State University, where he majored in Criminal Justice. He received his Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of America and Faith Christian Center. He has 12-year-old daughter who lives in Columbus, Georgia.