Richards returns to Stanford football as the Coordinator of Football Operations and Player Development in 2024. The former Cardinal defensive back joins the staff after a seven-year NFL career.
A graduate of Folsom High School, Richards stayed close to home and chose Stanford, roaming the secondary for four seasons. He appeared in 54 games over four seasons, including four consecutive bowl game appearances. Richards compiled 244 tackles in his career, as well as nine interceptions, a mark that is still tied for tenth all-time in Stanford history.
Richards was part of one of the best stretches in Stanford football history. The Cardinal won 42 games during his four seasons on The Farm, two Pac-12 titles, and the 2013 Rose Bowl over Wisconsin. In the 20-13 win over the Badgers, Richards was third on the team with seven tackles, and recorded his only career sack.
Twice he was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention, and was a standout in the classroom as well, earning CoSIDA Second-Team Academic All-America honors in 2013.
After his senior season, Richards was drafted in the second round by the New England Patriots in the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons in the league, most notably parts of four seasons with the Patriots. He helped New England reach consecutive Super Bowls following the 2016 and 2017 seasons, winning Super Bowl LI.
Following his time with the Patriots, Richards started 12 games for Atlanta in 2018. He ended his career with the Baltimore Ravens, where he scored his lone NFL touchdown on a fumble recovery in Week 17 of the 2019 season. Over the course of seven seasons, Richards played 86 games and recorded 102 tackles with a pair of forced fumbles.
Richards graduated from Stanford in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with Education Policy Concentration. He is actively pursuing an MBA through Indiana University.
Richards and his wife Mary are the parents to four children: twin boys Emmanuel and David, and daughters Mercy and Rubykate.