Harold Richardson (American football)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | September 27, 1944[1] Houston, Texas, U.S.[1] |
| Career information | |
| College: | SMU |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
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| As an executive: | |
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Harold Richardson (born September 27, 1944) is an American football coach and executive who served as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons from 1998 to 2002.
Playing[edit]
Richardson played tight end at Southern Methodist University from 1965 to 1967.[2] In his three seasons with the Mustangs, Richardson caught 34 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns.[3]
Coaching[edit]
Richardson began his college coaching career at his alma mater – SMU.[1] From 1973 to 1976 he was an assistant at Oklahoma State University, where he was part of a coaching staff that included Bum Phillips, Wade Phillips and Frank Gansz.[4] He then served as defensive ends coach at Texas Christian University.[5] After a two-year stint at North Texas State, Richardson moved to the NFL.[1] From 1981 to 1985 he was an assistant with the New Orleans Saints.[6] From 1987 to 1988 he was the defensive coordinator of the Colorado State Rams.[7]
Front office[edit]
In 1989, Richardson joined the Denver Broncos as special teams coach. He moved to the front office in 1993, assisting in contract negotiations and salary-cap management. He left the Broncos in 1997 to join former Broncos head coach Dan Reeves in Atlanta.[7] After one season as the Falcons' assistant head coach/football operations, Richardson was promoted to general manager. As GM, Richardson oversaw contract signings and salary cap management, marketing, and public and community relations.[8] When Reeves missed two games at the end of the 1998 season due to bypass surgery, Richardson assisted interim head coach Rich Brooks, serving as his on-field connection with game officials and team captains while Brooks coached from the coaches' box.[9] After Arthur Blank purchased the team in February 2002 he began looking to replace Richardson.[10] He resigned on May 9, 2002.[6]
From 2010 to 2019, Richardson was the executive director of the East–West Shrine Bowl.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d The Official National Football League Record and Fact Book 1993. Workman Publishing Company, Incorporated. 1993. p. 41.
- ^ "The History of SMU Football" (PDF). SMU. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Harold Richardson". Sports Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Baldwin, Mike (January 30, 1999). "Sooner Super Bowl Nine Oklahomans Will Take Part in the Big Game". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Transactions". The Boston Globe. December 22, 1976.
- ^ a b Winkeljohn, Matt (May 10, 2002). "GM Richardson left with no role". The Atlanta Journal - Constitution.
- ^ a b Schefter, Adam (February 20, 1997). "Richardson to join Reeves". Denver Post.
- ^ Fabrizio, Tony (January 17, 1998). "Richardson Named Falcons' GM". The Augusta Chronicle.
- ^ Winkeljohn, Matt (December 17, 1998). "Duties shuffled with Reeves out". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ Winkeljohn, Matt (February 3, 2002). "Blank starts GM search". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ^ "After Nine Years, Harold Richardson Steps Down From the East-West Shrine Game". PR Newswire. March 19, 2019.
- 1944 births
- Colorado State Rams football coaches
- Denver Broncos coaches
- Denver Broncos executives
- Atlanta Falcons executives
- New Orleans Saints coaches
- North Texas Mean Green football coaches
- Oklahoma State Cowboys football coaches
- SMU Mustangs football coaches
- SMU Mustangs football players
- Players of American football from Houston
- TCU Horned Frogs football coaches
- Living people