Richardson now dean of the SWAC after 15 years

Southern University head football coach Pete Richardson has been in charge of the football coaching staff at Southern for 15 years.
Born October 7, 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio, Richardson’s interest in sports could be seen during his teenage years.
While attending Youngstown South High, Richardson participated in track, baseball and football. He made his mark on the football field as a running back, earning a scholarship to the University of Dayton in Ohio.
Richardson, a three-year starter with the Dayton Flyers (1966-1968), switched his role on the field to defensive back.
According to Richardson’s profile on gojagsports.com, he graduated from UD in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
A sixth-round pick in the 1968 NFL draft, Richardson began his NFL career as a Buffalo Bill in 1969, under the instruction of then head coach Johnny Rauch.
Stats found on jt-sw.com place Richardson as defensive back with a NFL career total of eight interceptions, gaining a sum of 63 yards. Richardson only had one fumble throughout his NFL career.
“It was an exciting career for me. I got a chance to go places I always dreamed about,” said Richardson referring to his NFL career.
After playing for the Buffalo Bills, Richardson decided to return to UD to pursue a master’s degree in guidance counseling.
A new chapter of his life was opened when he decided to switch his role from playing on the football field to coaching. Richardson made his coaching debut at Ohio’s Dayton Dunbar High.
“I wanted to be involved with the teaching of young individuals,” said Richardson.
Soon, he was coaching college football at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Richardson spent five years as the WSSU Rams’ head coach, leading the team to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference championship victories before joining the SU Jaguars on the field in 1993.
Richardson has won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award five times and has three SWAC conference titles under his belt.
In addition, Richardson’s many achievements landed him a spot in the UD Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Richardson’s record, during his tenure at Southern (120-52) only comes second in SU history to the legendary A. W. Mumford whose record wins stand at 176. It took Mumford 25 seasons to gain 176 wins; Richardson, who is only in his 15th season at SU, has already accomplished 120.
According to a recent article in The Advocate, SU and Richardson may soon come to an agreement on a new contract extension for three years. Richardson, who’s making $200,000 per year, is not expected to receive a pay raise but is already one of the highest paid coaches in I-AA now called the Football Championship Sub-Division.
Richardson is not only making an impact on the football field but also on the lives of his players.
“Just knowing that I am playing for what some may consider a legend makes me work harder,” said SU linebacker Marcus Clark, a freshman rehabilitation service major from Patterson.
Richardson mentioned he teaches his players that student athletes are expected to represent SU to the highest esteem and he emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for their actions. Richardson added that his goal was to make sure the team finishes strong.
“He’s a well-respected coach who knows the game inside and out, as a player and as a coach,” said Clark. “The team wants to make him proud.”