(Photo cred: Kevin Tidmore)

Devon Richardson is named Boys' Basketball Head Coach at Blair High School

April 6, 2021

Santa Monica, Calif. – Former Santa Monica College Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Devon Richardson was named the new Boys' Basketball Head Coach at Blair High School in August 2020. Coach Richardson, who served a three-year stint as an Assistant Coach in the Corsairs Men's Basketball program, brings a decade of coaching experience to the Vikings basketball program. Blair High School, located in Pasadena, competes in the Rio Hondo League in the CIF.

"Being a head coach has always been a dream of mine. I grew up watching my mother coach high school basketball for almost 15 years. It's been one of the constants in my life," explains Coach Richardson. "I was truly blessed to have the opportunity to coach at Santa Monica College with an incredible staff and a head coach who allowed me to develop as a coach. I've learned a ton watching Coach Thomas navigate the JUCO scene, and I've made bonds with players that will last a lifetime. I leave SMC prepared for the new challenge of bringing the Blair High School program to the forefront of Pasadena basketball. I've lucked out to have an administration that supports the new vision at Blair, and I couldn't be happier. We will play hard, fast, and most importantly, the right way... the SMC way."

Coach Richardson played an integral role in the recent surge of the SMC Men's Basketball program becoming one of the top teams in the state. During Coach Richardson's tenure, the Corsairs have been ranked as high as number two overall in the state, won 20 or more games in a season multiple times, made a Sweet 16 and Elite 8 appearance in the playoffs, and secured a top 10 ranking in the state in two of his three seasons. He has recruited great student-athletes of high character and immense basketball talent to SMC.  

Coach Richardson is beloved by all the players that he has been able to coach at SMC. His personality is infectious, and he created unbreakable bonds with members in the SMC Men's Basketball program.

"I want to start by saying congrats to Coach Richardson or Rich as we call him," said Cesar Meza, former SMC Men's Basketball player and now University of Saint Katherine Men's Basketball player. "Rich has helped me grow on and off the court. He's helped me understand the game from a coach's point of view, and he's helped me mature off the floor. He's a coach that is fun to be around and has a lot of fun with what he does. His future players should expect a coach who is passionate about what they do. He wants to get his players better, and he really cares about them. He knows how to gel with his players and always seems to relate to everyone. He is a player's coach, and he was fun to be around. I wish him the best of luck at Blair."

"It is really hard to put into words what Coach Richardson has meant to SMC Men's Basketball. Personally, I have gained a great friend for life in Coach Rich," said SMC Head Coach Joshua Thomas. "I leaned on his ability to thrive under pressure and to see the game from a player's perspective. A great assistant coach finds ways to lighten the load of the head coach, and Coach Rich certainly did that for me. I knew that I could ask Coach Rich for something and that he would handle it. Coach Rich was the backbone of this program, and I am indebted to him for his many contributions to the SMC Men's Basketball program."

"Coach Rich brings the ability to build relationships and get the most of out of players. He has a great feel for the game, and his basketball IQ will be embedded in his team. His game planning and preparation is amongst the best in the business. He understands how to develop individual talent and maximize team potential and ability. His seasoned wisdom and life experiences will resonate with his team, and he will help everyone in his program grow in their journeys from teenagers to young men," added Coach Thomas. "He is a hard-working leader who walks in humility, and Blair High School has hired a transformative coach who will create a culture of winning, accountability, and integrity. I am excited to watch his Vikings compete, and I know any program with Coach Richardson at the helm is a championship program."