Kris Richardson was hired as Sacramento State's Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach in January of 2019. He was elevated to Associate Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator in December of 2022.
During Richardson's first season, the Hornets went 9-4 overall, earned a share of the Big Sky Conference title and advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the first time in school history. His offensive line was led by Wyatt Ming and Nick Bianco who both earned all-conference honors. Ming, who was a first team selection at center, went on to play in the Hula Bowl All-Star Game. The offensive line paved the way for the team's high-powered offense during the season. The unit surrendered just 16 sacks during the season and ranked among the top 10 in the FCS in sacks allowed per pass attempt. Additionally, the team rushed for 2,201 yards and amassed 6,033 yards of total offense.
In 2021, Richardson's offensive line had three players earn all-Big Sky accolades with center Thomas Parker being named to the first team and tackle Kooper Richardson and guard Brandon Weldon landing on the second team. The unit featured nine different starters during the year but played a key role in the team's undefeated conference run and berth into the FCS Playoffs. The team averaged 4.6 yards per rush during the year and allowed just 18 sacks in 12 games.
In 2022, Richardson's offensive line had four players earn all-Big Sky accolades with guards Jackson Slater and Brandon Weldon being named to the first team and tackle Troy Stiefel and center Nathan Mejia landing on the second team. The unit featured six different starters and paved the way to the team being the seventh-ranked rushing offense in the FCS and ranked third in total offense. Sacramento State averaged 5.41 yards per rush during the year and set the school record in rushing yards in a season with 3,163 yards while allowing just 16 sacks in 13 games.
The following year, Richardson coached three offensive linemen to all-Big Sky honors. Slater returned to the first team and joined Jon Osterhout (1998-99) as the only offensive linemen in school history to earn the honor in consecutive years. Left tackle Ivan Garza and center Nathan Mejia each earned honorable mention. Despite starting eight players on the line during the year, the unit combined to surrender just 16 sacks in 13 games. The Hornets did not give up a sack in the first three games of the season, including the win at Stanford. The unit also kept the QB clean in the FCS Playoff win at North Dakota.
In 2024, Richardson coached Jackson Slater to first team all-Big Sky accolades for the third consecutive season — making him the first offensive lineman in school history to do so. Slater also earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Throughout the season, the offensive line battled injuries and were forced to start nine different players. Despite the heavy rotation, the unit responded by allowing just 14 sacks in 12 games.
Richardson came to the Hornets after serving on the Folsom High School staff for 24 years, including his final 14 as the varsity head coach. The Bulldogs posted a 162-27-1 record under his leadership and became one of the most dominant programs in area history. From 2010-18, Folsom went 127-10 with nine league titles, seven Sac-Joaquin Section Championships and four state crowns. His teams won the CIF Div. 2 title in 2010, CIF Div. 1 title in 2014, CIF Div. 1-AA titles in 2017 and 2018. Following the 2010 Season, Richardson was named the California Coaches Association State Coach of the Year. Following the 2017 season, Richardson was named the Cal-Hi Football State Coach of the Year. Richardson was also named the Sacramento Bee’s 2010’s Coach of the Decade.
Folsom sent over 30 players to NCAA Div. I schools during his tenure including quarterbacks Jake Browning (Washington) and Dano Graves (Cal Poly), safety Jordan Richards (Stanford/New England Patriots/Baltimore Ravens), offensive lineman Jonah Williams (Alabama/Cincinnati Bengals), Cody Creason (Arizona), Kooper Richardson (UC Davis/Sacramento State/Saskatchewan Roughriders), tight end Josiah Deguara (Cincinnati/Green Bay Packers), and wide receiver Joe Ngata (Clemson/Philadelphia Eagles). The Bulldogs also set the CIF state record for points as well as recording the most passing yards in a year in four consecutive seasons.
In 2017, Folsom finished the year ranked 18th in the MaxPreps national poll. The Bulldogs were 16-0 and outscored their opponents 770-301. The team scored at least 50 points in eight games and tallied 40-plus in 13 contests. During their playoff run, Folsom scored 49 or more points in five of six games, including the State Championship over Helix HS.
In 2018, Folsom retained its CIF Div. 1-AA crown with a 21-14 overtime win over Cathedral Catholic. The team was 14-1 and 14 won straight games. Folsom finished the year ranked 17th nationally by MaxPreps. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 775-209 and scored 50 or more points in 10 games. The Bulldogs averaged 55.4 points per game during the win streak while holding opponents to 13.9 points per game. The team advanced to the State Championship with an 84-46 win over previously unbeaten Central HS of Fresno.
Richardson and his wife, Kelly, have three children: Kooper, Kaden and Katie. Kooper was an offensive lineman for the Hornets in 2021 and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2022. Kaden is a current offensive lineman with the Hornets. He played in every game in 2022, is a 4.0 student and was a member of the 2022 Big Sky all-academic team. Katie is a sophomore at the University of Nevada.
