Darnel Richardson

Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator - Sixth Season
Email Coach:  drichardson@francis.edu

Marshall University

     Along with head coach Dave Opfar, Darnel Richardson enters his sixth season on the Saint Francis University football team’s coaching staff. As the squad’s Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Richardson brings 13 years of collegiate coaching experience and knowledge to the sidelines in 2007.

      During his tenure as the Red Flash Defensive Coordinator, Richardson has coached three all-Northeast Conference defensive backs, including two first team honorees. Daunte Neal and Marcus Haines both garnered all-NEC First Team honors in 2002 and 2004, respectively, while Ivin Hicks picked up second team accolades in 2005.

            With a talented and deep defense returning in 2007, more all-NEC defensive players are on the horizon.

            Prior to arriving in Loretto, he served as offensive coordinator at West Virginia State for five years, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator and head women’s track coach at the Division II school.

            During his tenure at West Virginia State, Richardson coached six first-team all-WVIAC offensive players. His offense averaged 27.6 points per game in 1999, and finished fourth in the conference in total offense (3,551 total yards and 355.1 yards per game). The passing offense ranked No. 1 in the WVIAC with 228.1 yards per game, and Richardson coached the No. 1 passing quarterback and leading receiver in the conference.

            Before making his way to West Virginia State, Richardson served two years as the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach, as well as the Head JV Coach at Northeast Conference rival Robert Morris, where he played an instrumental part in establishing the program in its first-ever season. The Colonials established an NCAA Division I record for most wins in a season for a first-year program (7-1-1).

            Richardson spent one season as the Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach at Duquesne High School in 1992, prior to beginning his collegiate coaching career.

            Richardson graduated from Marshall University, where he set the school’s single-season receiving record with 690 yards on 50 catches. He also led the team with three touchdown receptions that season under head coach Sonny Randle.