University of Arizona Athletics

John Richardson joins the Arizona Football Coaching staff as Cornerbacks Coach after spending two seasons with Washington State in the same role as well as serving as the recruiting coordinator. He was promoted to Assistant Head Coach following the 2020 season.
 
In his first season in Pullman, the Washington State defense produced four All-Pac-12 Conference selections including cornerback Jaylen Watson, who earned honorable mention and saw the Cougars lead the league with eight forced fumbles in a shortened 2020 season.
 
Richardson, who owns 12 years of college coaching experience, arrived at Washington State after spending the previous six seasons as the cornerbacks coach for the University of Wyoming. Richardson helped the 2019 Cowboys finish sixth in the country in red zone defense, No. 11 in the country in rush defense (107.1) and scoring defense (17.8), No. 40 in tackles-for-loss (83) and No. 43 in total defense. Senior cornerback Tyler Hall capped his career earning All-Mountain West Conference honorable mention for the second straight season.

In 2018, Wyoming’s defense was among the best in the nation, finishing the season No. 19 in total defense (326.2), No. 25 in rushing defense (129.5), No. 28 in scoring defense (22.0) and No. 32 in pass defense (196.7). Hall earned All-MWC Honorable Mention as a junior in 2018.  

The 2017 Cowboy defense become one of the best groups in the country as they led the country in takeaways (38), ranked ninth in scoring defense (17.5), were first in fumbles recovered (18), second in interceptions (20), eighth in defensive touchdowns scored (4), No. 13 in pass defense (174.9) and No. 23 in total defense (335.2). Richardson coached second-team All-Mountain West cornerback Rico Gafford who went on to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and signed a free-agent contract with the Tennessee Titans. 

As a unit, the 2016 Cowboy defense ranked first in the country with five defensive touchdowns, No. 10 with 25 takeaways, No. 15 with 12 fumble recoveries, No. 22 with 15 interceptions including five from Richardson’s cornerbacks. In 2015, Richardson coached a Wyoming defense that ranked No. 26 in the nation in fewest passing yards allowed (196.9).

Prior to coming to Wyoming, Richardson coached the North Dakota State cornerbacks in 2012-13. He was a member of the NDSU staff from 2009-13, spending the 2009-10 seasons as a student assistant before becoming a graduate assistant coach in 2011. During his time on the NDSU coaching staff, the Bison won three consecutive national titles in 2011-13.

From 2011-13, Richardson helped NDSU to a 43-2 (.956) overall record and a 22-2 (.917) Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) mark on way to its three consecutive FCS national titles. The 2013 NDSU squad became the first undefeated (15-0) FCS National Champion since Marshall went 15-0 to win the 1996 title. NDSU extended its winning streak to 24 consecutive games with the 2013 FCS Championship, tying both the FCS and NDSU records for consecutive victories.

As a coach at North Dakota State (2011-13), Richardson helped the Bison lead the nation in scoring defense for three consecutive seasons, holding opponents to only 12.7 ppg in 2011, 11.5 ppg in 2012 and only 11.3 ppg in 2013.  

The 2013 Bison defense also ranked third in the FCS in total defense (255.9); second in the nation in pass efficiency defense (97.5), third in rushing defense (91.3) and eighth in passing yards allowed (164.6). In addition to leading the nation in scoring defense in 2012, NDSU led the country in total defense (234.5), allowed the fewest first downs (12.6), ranked second in pass defense (140.6) and fourth in rushing defense (93.9).

In 2012-13, Richardson coached Consensus First Team All-America cornerback Marcus Williams.  Williams signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Texans following the 2014 NFL Draft and defensive back Bryan Shepherd also signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins following the 2014 NFL Draft.     

Richardson was a two-year starter at cornerback for NDSU (2007-08) where he made 85 tackles over his two-year career, 19 pass breakups, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He began his college career in his home state of California at Mt. San Antonio Community College.

Originally from Compton, Calif., Richardson earned Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll honors his senior year of 2008 and completed his bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation leadership in 2010 from North Dakota State.

He and his wife, Sahfiya, have one son, John Michael, and one daughter, Simone Faith.