UNCP Athletics

Shane Richardson, a 20-year college coaching veteran who spent seven seasons as UNC Pembroke's defensive coordinator from 2007-2013, was named the program's head coach on Feb. 21, 2014.
 
While with the Braves, Richardson has been the architect of one of the nation's best defensive units. The Black & Gold has ranked among the nation's top 40 teams in total defense five times over the last 12 years, including the 2008 squad that ranked among the nation's top 10 in nine different statistical categories. In addition to boasting the nation's top scoring defense (11.2 points/game), the Braves also ranked second in total defense (226.6 yards/game), fourth in rushing defense (71.6 yards/game) and fourth in sacks per game (4.0).
 
Richardson has also mentored five of his defensive players to all-American honors over the last 12 seasons, including Fayetteville native Fred Williams (2008-13) who exited Pembroke as the program's all-time leader in total tackles (318), solo tackles (175) and assisted tackles (143). He also coached the program's first all-American in 2008 (Caylon Hann, DB).
 
The 2016 season, Richardson’s third year at the helm of the program, was arguably the finest in the 10-year history of the football program in Pembroke as the Braves established a new benchmark for single season victories (10), including their first playoff win – a 24-21 triumph at then-No. 19 Valdosta State in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Four players collected all-America honors at season’s end, including placekicker Matt Davis who eventually took home the 2017 Fred Mitchell Award which is presented annually to the nation's top placekicker in FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA for excellence on the football field and in the community.
 
Richardson's coaching career began in 2001 at Northern Michigan, his alma mater, where he was a graduate assistant charged with coaching the linebackers, while assisting with special teams, strength and conditioning and recruiting. That season, the Wildcats produced a pair of all-conference selections from the defensive side of the ball while turning in a respectable win-loss record.
 
As the linebackers coach and strength and conditioning coordinator at Jamestown College in 2002, Richardson, again, helped produce postseason laurels as one of his players, defensive back Jay Lies, was named to the Engravers Edge all-America football team at season's end.
 
A one-year stint at North Dakota State in 2003 may have produced one of Richardson's most impressive credentials, however. With Richardson on call as a graduate assistant defensive backs coach, the Bison turned in one of the nation's best defenses, finishing the season ranked sixth in rushing defense (81.4 yards/game), ninth in scoring defense (15.3 points/game) and 16th in turnover margin (+10). En route to an 8-3 season clip, NDSU registered 20 interceptions and yielded just seven third quarter points over the course of the 11-game season. The performance produced a quintet of North Central Conference defensive players of the week, as well as a national defensive player of the week.
 
Following the completion of his collegiate education, the first stop of his career would take him to Iron Mountain (Mich.) High School in 2001 where he served as the school's strength and conditioning coach.
 
A three-year starter at linebacker, Richardson lettered four times at Northern Michigan (1997-00), while earning all-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference laurels in his final two seasons in the green and gold. A standout classroom performer, he was also decorated with GLIAC academic honors in 2000 as well.
 
Richardson earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education/social studies from NMU in 2001 and his master's degree in physical education/athletic administration from North Dakota State in 2005. As part of NDSU's advanced degree program, he served a stint as an intern with the United States Olympic Committee in 2005, specifically with USA Taekwondo. While with the USOC, he assisted in structuring and implementing a coaching development plan and coordinating a volunteer program.
 
A regular on the speaking circuit in North Carolina, Richardson is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the North Carolina Coaches Association (NCCA). Richardson and his wife, Jenna, currently reside in Lumberton. The couple is the parents of three sons - Ford, Jude and Bear - and a daughter, Bo.
 

HEAD COACHING RECORD