Michele Baxter enters her fourth season on the coaching staff at the University of South Florida and her third as the program's recruiting coordinator. Baxter is responsible for working with the Bulls' post players and was a vital part in the development and success of the frontcourt during USF's run to the 2009 Women's National Invitation Tournament championship.

Baxter came to USF after spending eight years at Monmouth University in New Jersey including her final three-and-a-half seasons as head coach.

Baxter took over the reigns on the Hawks' program in January of 2005 after serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for four years. Monmouth immediately saw results with the Hawks posting a 17-11 record (8-4 under Woods-Baxter) during that 2004-05 season while also recording their best home record since the 1985-86 season (12-2) and a perfect 9-0 slate at home against Northeast Conference (NEC) foe's.

Woods-Baxter would then lead the Hawks to back-to-back winning season's from 2005-07 including posting an 18-13 record during 2006-07. Those 18 wins equaled the most wins in a season since the 1987-88 campaign. Under her tutelage as head coach, Monmouth advanced to the NEC Tournament semifinal game in 2006-07 and 2007-08. In addition, the Hawks also enjoyed seven consecutive (2000-07) winning seasons and a top four finish in the NEC in seven out of her eight season's on the staff at Monmouth.

Prior to arriving at Monmouth, Baxter served as associate head coach at Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College (TCC) for two season's (1998-2000). At Tallahassee, she was involved in all aspects of recruiting and scouting. During her two-year stay, the Eagles compiled a 50-19 record and finished second in the state both seasons. The squad also finished as Panhandle Conference runner-up in 1999 and 2000.

Woods-Baxter got her start in coaching basketball serving as assistant boy's coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for seven season's (1989-96).

At Aquinas she was responsible for both the freshmen and junior varsity program's (1989-92) and also assisted the varsity during that time. She also maintained individual weight and skill development programs during the off-season and served as head coach for all off-season leagues and tournament's which included such prestigious events as the Adidas Summer Basketball Championships held in Miami and the Nike Summer League Championships in Fort Lauderdale.  

Woods-Baxter also served as head coach of the Gold Coast Raiders, an AAU boy's under-17 program for seven years. While heading up that team, 20 players would move on to play collegiate basketball.

A native of Oxford, Mich., Woods-Baxter graduated from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y., in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in communications and was a member of the Cardinals' volleyball squad.