Harold Richardson (born September 27, 1944) is an American football coach and executive who served as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons from 1998 to 2002.
Personal information | |
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Born: | [1] Houston, Texas, U.S.[1] | September 27, 1944
Career information | |
College: | SMU |
Career history | |
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As an executive: | |
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Richardson played tight end at Southern Methodist University from 1965 to 1967.[2] In his three seasons with the Mustangs, Richardson caught 34 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns.[3]
Richardson began his college coaching career at his alma mater – SMU.[1] From 1973 to 1976 he was an assistant at Oklahoma State University, where he was part of a coaching staff that included Bum Phillips, Wade Phillips and Frank Gansz.[4] He then served as defensive ends coach at Texas Christian University.[5] After a two-year stint at North Texas State, Richardson moved to the NFL.[1] From 1981 to 1985 he was an assistant with the New Orleans Saints.[6] From 1987 to 1988 he was the defensive coordinator of the Colorado State Rams.[7]
In 1989, Richardson joined the Denver Broncos as special teams coach. He moved to the front office in 1993, assisting in contract negotiations and salary-cap management. He left the Broncos in 1997 to join former Broncos head coach Dan Reeves in Atlanta.[7] After one season as the Falcons' assistant head coach/football operations, Richardson was promoted to general manager. As GM, Richardson oversaw contract signings and salary cap management, marketing, and public and community relations.[8] When Reeves missed two games at the end of the 1998 season due to bypass surgery, Richardson assisted interim head coach Rich Brooks, serving as his on-field connection with game officials and team captains while Brooks coached from the coaches' box.[9] After Arthur Blank purchased the team in February 2002 he began looking to replace Richardson.[10] He resigned on May 9, 2002.[6]
From 2010 to 2019, Richardson was the executive director of the East–West Shrine Bowl.[11]