PEMBROKE - Athletics department officials at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced Sunday that football head coach Shane Richardson will be departing as head coach having completed his contract term.  Richardson served as head coach of the Braves from 2014 through 2022.

"Shane Richardson has given UNCP his all for over 17 years in different capacities, and he and Jenna have been integral parts of our community," said Athletics Director Dick Christy. "I'm so appreciative for his leadership, integrity and his relentless work ethic to establish our program on solid footing within the Mountain East Conference."

Richardson's teams adjusted quickly to life as a conference member. All three Mountain East Conference seasons have seen the Braves in contention among the top teams in the league, with 13 wins in MEC play in just over two seasons.

"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the football head coach here at UNCP for the past 9 seasons," Richardson said. "Thank you to our Director of Athletics, Dick Christy, for hiring me in this role and affording me the opportunity to be a part of building this program. Thank you to our chancellor, Dr. Robin Cummings, for the support he has shown me throughout our time together. Thank you to all players, coaches and staff that help contribute – their efforts and willingness is invaluable. 

"I have learned so many lessons and grown not only as a coach, but as an individual far more than I could imagine. UNC Pembroke will always hold a special place in my heart. I wish nothing but the best for the future of this football program and the University."  

Richardson shepherded the Braves from one of the last Division II independents in the country to a scheduling alliance with the South Atlantic Conference for three seasons, up to membership in the Mountain East Conference over the past three years.

"Shane's determination in the face of adversity is something I will always admire about his leadership. In addition to scheduling and conference membership challenges, he navigated our football program through COVID and hurricane-impacted seasons as well. His tenacity has been something for our football players to emulate in life," Christy said.

A national search will begin immediately to identify Richardson's successor.  Offensive Coordinator Billy Lindquist will serve as Interim Head Coach during the transition. Interested applicants with the required master's degree can apply at https://jobs.uncp.edu/.

Richardson quickly built on the upstart Braves program in 2016, leading the Black & Gold to its first 10-win season in program history and first playoff victory, defeating then-No. 19 Valdosta State.

Richardson's efforts to highlight the local community and Lumbee Tribe in uniform and helmet design were twice recognized by ESPN for the campaigns and helped to launch the American Indian Heritage football game each season.
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).