John Richardson begins his fifth season with the North Dakota State football program and his second as the defensive assistant and academic liaison. He was a graduate assistant in 2011, and student assistant in 2009 and 2010.
Richardson was part of a NDSU staff that boasted the nation’s top scoring defense (11.53 ppg) in 2012, and also led the country in total defense (234.47 avg/g) and first downs allowed (12.67 avg/g). The Bison ranked 2nd in pass defense (140.6 avg/g), 4th in rush defense (93.87 avg/g), 9th in turnover margin (+1.00 avg/g) and 17th in pass efficiency defense (113.67). The Bison defense allowed only 43 points in four FCS playoff games.
North Dakota State won the program’s second NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national championship on Jan. 5, 2013, with a 39-13 win over Sam Houston State. The Bison completed the season with a 14-1 record including a 7-1 ledger in winning the Missouri Valley Football Conference title.
Richardson was a two-year starter at cornerback for the Bison in 2007 and 2008 after transferring from Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, Calif.). In 22 games for NDSU, he was credited with 85 tackles including 57 solos, 19 passes defended, a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
A native of Compton, Calif., Richardson graduated in December 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation leadership. He was named to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.
John and his wife, Sahfiya, have a son, John Michael.
