Richardson named Tatum football coach

Gary Richardson has 23 years of coaching experience in Texas, while also teaching for 31 years in the Lone Star State. He decided to retire a few years ago and at about the same time, he received a call from longtime friend and Tatum High School principal Greg Slover.

He recommended that Richardson look into the assistant football coach position at Tatum. Richardson took the job and has spent the last three seasons with the Coyotes. Fast-forward to 2016 and he is about to begin his first year as the Coyotes’ new head football coach.

“We have high hopes for our team,” Richardson said. “They’re going to be a little young, especially size-wise. We don’t have much size on the line, necessarily. But the kids have worked hard (and) they’re strong. We’re going to take advantage of our quickness and maybe throw the ball a little more.”

The Coyotes have been working out all summer and they officially begin practice Aug. 1 prior to their season-opener at Logan on Aug. 26. Tatum’s former head football coach, Gary Durham, decided to take over as the school’s elementary principal along with his other duties as athletic director.

In addition to having a new coach at the helm, the Coyotes will also have to replace a number of skills players such as quarterback and running back.

“I don’t want to call it a rebuilding year,” Richardson said. “With what we’re going to be doing, we’re headed in a different direction and we’ll take advantage of who we have out there, their skills. So I’m hoping that’s going to come around.”

Richardson went on say that Tatum might run some option plays and open up their offense more. He wants to build on what they’ve done in the past, while also adding in some new game plans.

“Looking forward to working with them as the head coach,” Richardson said. “Doing some different things with them. I think they’re going to enjoy it.”