At San Diego State
- Richard Sanchez begins his second season at San Diego State, where he will coach the safeties and assist with special teams.
- In his first year back on The Mesa, Sanchez coached two all-Mountain West safeties, as Tariq Thompson garnered second-team accolades at the Warrior position, while Parker Baldwin received honorable mention for the second straight season at the signature Aztec spot in Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defense.
Previous Experience
- Enjoyed an illustrious tenure as head coach at local powerhouse St. Augustine High School from 2009-17, compiling an overall record of 83-29.
- His 83 victories represent the most in school history.
- Led the Saints to two CIF San Diego Section championships, three runner-up finishes and five Eastern League titles.
- In 2016, he received the National Football Foundation Meritorious Coach of the Year award.
- Among his pupils at St. Augustine High was current Aztec safety Tariq Thompson, who was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and USA Today following the 2017 campaign.
- Spent 11 years as an assistant in the collegiate ranks, including a four-year stint at Sacramento State from 2005-08, where he served as special teams coordinator while coaching the running backs (2006) and tight ends (2007-08).
- Hornet special teams were one of the elite units in the Big Sky Conference in 2006, as three Sac State players garnered all-league accolades, including punter Mitch Lively, kick returner Andre Taylor and linebacker Calvin Robinson, who was the team’s top performer in both kickoff and punt coverage.
- In his first season with the Hornets in 2005, Kris Daniels led the Big Sky with an average of 27.5 yards on kickoff returns, earning second-team all-conference honors.
- Spent one season as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Valparaiso in 2004 while serving as the team’s recruiting coordinator.
- Helped guide the Crusader defense to a No. 1 ranking in Division I-AA, allowing just 128.8 passing yards per game.
- Under his tutelage, defensive backs Chris Daniels and Brad Smeja also received all-Pioneer League recognition for Valpo that season, while Crusader special teams were among the league leaders in several statistical categories.
- Coached the running backs for two years at the University of San Diego under current Aztec assistant Kevin McGarry in 2002-03, adding the duties of special teams coordinator in his second season.
- In 2003, he mentored Torero running back Evan Harney, who merited FCS Mid-Major All-America distinction after setting a single-season school record with 1,475 yards rushing.
- In addition, USD special teams limited the opposition to 0.4 yards per punt return that season.
- Completed an internship with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League in the summer of 2002, assisting with special teams and wide receivers.
- Served two years as a graduate assistant at San Diego State during the 2000 and 2001 campaigns, working with the offensive line.
- Was part of a staff that coached three all-Mountain West linemen, including Chester Pitts, David Moreno and Jonathan Ingram. Pitts was a second-round draft choice of the Houston Texans in 2002.
- Spent two years as head coach and athletic director at San Diego High School from 1998-2000. Took over a program which had lost 20 straight games and produced a 11-9 overall record in his two seasons with the Cavers.
- Began his coaching career with a three-year stint at Montclair High School (1994-97), where he garnered Mount Baldy League Coach of the Year accolades in 1995 after leading his Cavalier squad to a 9-3 record.
Playing Experience
- Played for two seasons at wide receiver and kick returner at New Mexico State in 1989 and 1990.
- Twice earned Big West Player of the Week honors after games vs. UTEP and Pacific in 1990.
- Competed for two years out of high school at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, where he was named Most Valuable Player of the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1988.
- Also played semi-pro football with the San Bernardino Blitz.
Education
- Received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from New Mexico State in 1993.
- Earned his master’s degree in exercise and nutritional sciences at San Diego State in 2002.
Personal
- Sanchez and his wife, Maria, live in Bonita with their two children, Kristiana and Ricky.