Folsom High Coach, Educator Kris Richardson to join Sac State coaching staff
Kris Richardson, a veteran educator and coach who has lead the Folsom High School football team to state victories and national acclaim, will be leaving his position to join former Folsom High co-coach Troy Taylor on the coaching staff of the California State University at Sacramento football team. FHS Quarterbacks Coach Bobby Fresques, Running Back Coach Chris Parry, and Defensive Coordinator Sam Cole will also join Richardson at Sac State.
“I am a strong believer that this game has always been about more than just what happens on the field, Richardson wrote in his resignation letter (scroll down to bottom of news release to read in full). “It is about developing young men who learn the value of hard work, determination, accountability and self-discipline … Our players formed an unbreakable brotherhood that I was honored to have been a part of.”
Richardson became Folsom High’s head coach in 2005 and has led the Bulldogs to four, Division 1 State Bowl Championships, including their most recent victory in 2018. He has garnered nine League Championships, seven CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championships, five regional appearances and four Regional Championships. His team has been ranked nationally four times, and as high as fourth in the country in 2014 and seventh in the country in 2018.
Richardson has been teaching and shaping the minds of students in Folsom Cordova USD for 23 years. He began his time at FCUSD as an educator, teaching Physical Education and worked at Cordova High School and Folsom Middle School before moving to Folsom High School. There he coached football as the freshman level and then junior varsity before becoming head coach in 2005.
“Kris built the tremendous success of his program on hard work and dedication to the sport and his students,” said Superintendent Sarah Koligian. “Most importantly, he created a positive culture for the players, inspiring strong character development and commitment to one another that resulted in student excellence on and off the field. We will miss Kris under the Friday night lights at Folsom High, but will be cheering for him in his new role at Sac State.”
The school and District will launch a search for a new head coach in January.
FULL RESIGNATION LETTER FROM KRIS RICHARDSON:
It is with many emotions that I announce my decision to resign as Head Football Coach at Folsom High School. I began and amazing journey coaching at Folsom High School 24 years ago. The past 14 years as Head Coach have been very special to me and to my family, and I am very proud of our programs many accomplishments over that period. These accomplishments include:
- 4 State Championships
- 7 Section Championships
- 9 League Championships
- 2017 Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year
- 2010 California Coaches Association State Coach of the Year
- 2010 MaxPreps National Player of the Year (Dano Graves)
- 2013 and 2014 Gatorade State Player of the Year (Jake Browning)
These accomplishments were only made possible through the hard work and perseverance of a group of dedicated players and coaches that bought into a common goal and took tremendous pride in representing Folsom High School. I thank all players and staff, both past and present-- it has been my privilege to serve as your Head Coach. I am a strong believer that this game has always been about more than just what happens on the field. It is about developing young men who learn the value of hard work, determination, accountability and self-discipline.
Through Folsom Football, I am proud to say our players learned what it meant to make an unwavering commitment to something that will serve as a lifelong memory they will carry into adulthood. Our players formed an unbreakable brotherhood that I was honored to have been a part of. Folsom Football instilled life lessons: Stick together, work together, set goals together and continue to persevere through the tough times to enjoy the benefits often waiting on the other side.
I also want to thank our administration, school district, front office staff, Folsom High teachers and alumni. You are simply the best. The support shown by this group throughout my 14 years as Head Coach has been so appreciated and so special. Your passion and commitment to our high school, and specifically for our football program, clearly played a role in the success we were able to enjoy as the Bulldog Nation.
I want to thank the City of Folsom and the community members who supported our football program through the years. When our players took the field, we had tremendous pride representing this amazing city we live in. I’m forever grateful for the love and sense of pride that embodied all the people who have supported Folsom Football through the years.
Kelly and I feel extremely blessed to have been a part of this great chapter in the book of Folsom Football. The appreciation and love we have for the Bulldog Nation is immeasurable. We have been blessed to get to know some of the finest young men in America and we love them dearly. We are humbled and grateful to the families of these players and we will never forget the priceless friendships we have formed along the way.
Long live the Bulldog Nation.