Margaret Richards, former KSU, St. Aug's coach named WKU Lady Topper Assistant Coach

MARGARET RICHARDS
(Photo Courtesy WKU)

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky -- Western Kentucky University  new women's basketball coach Michelle Clark-Heard announced on Monday that Margaret Richards has joined her staff as an assistant coach.

"I couldn't be happier to be reunited with Margaret and have her on my staff here at WKU," said Heard. "Our relationship goes all the way back to her days in high school, and it has been a pleasure to watch her grow into a tremendous coach. She will be a huge asset in all areas of Lady Topper basketball, but her best strength will be building relationships with players and coaches. She knows me and my style and has such a bright future."

Richards spent two years as an assistant under Coach Heard at Kentucky State (2005-06, 2006-07). The two were also on the staff at Louisville for the 2007-08 season, where Richards served as a graduate assistant on the Cardinal's first Sweet Sixteen team. She was also a member of the women's basketball team at Nebraska (1999-2000 - 2003-04), where Heard served as an assistant coach for three of those years. Richards spent the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach at Weber State.

"I am so excited to be back home in Kentucky and to have the opportunity to once again work with Coach Heard here at WKU," said Richards. "Growing up in this state, I've always known about - and had tremendous respect - for the tradition of Lady Topper Basketball. It's an honor to be associated with this program, and I look forward to being part of the rise back to national prominence."

Also no stranger to the Sun Belt Conference, Richards coached at North Texas during the 2010-11 season. During her year with the Mean Green, she served as the team's recruiting coordinator, and was also responsible for guard development.

Prior to joining the staff at UNT, Richards spent two seasons as the head coach at Saint Augustine College. She compiled a 33-24 record in two season as the Lady Falcons' head coach, highlighted by an 18-10 record and a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Western Division championship in 2009-10. In her first season, she led Saint Augustine to 15 wins and the program's first CIAA semifinals appearance in six seasons. During Richards' tenure, two Lady Falcons made the all-CIAA team and the all-CIAA Rookie team. She was also named CIAA Coach of the Week six times.

A native of Louisville, Richards starred at Louisville Central High School. She ranked second in the state in scoring during her senior season (35.5 ppg), earning first-team all-state accolades and a spot on the Kentucky All-Star Team.

Richards earned her bachelor's degree in communication studies and double minored in sociology and ethnic studies from the University of Nebraska in 2003. The Cornhuskers earned a Top-25 national ranking during her senior season, and she was selected as a team captain during both her junior and senior campaigns.

The Richards File:
Born - Sept. 13, 1981
High School - Louisville Central, 2000
HS Athletics - Basketball, 4 letters; Track and Field, 2 letters; Field Hockey, 1 letter
College - Nebraska (BA), 2003
College Athletics - Basketball, guard, 4 letters
Coaching Experience -
Kentucky State, assistant coach (2005-06 - 2006-07)
Louisville, graduate assistant (2007-08)
Saint Augustine College, head coach (2008-09 - 2009-10)
North Texas, assistant coach (2010-11)
Weber State, assistant coach (2011-12)
Western Kentucky University, assistant coach (2012-13)

The Michelle Clark-Heard File:
Born — July 27, 1968
High School — Atherton (Ky.) 1986
HS Athletics — Basketball, 4 letters
College — WKU (BA), 1990; Nebraska (MA), 2001
College Athletics — Basketball, forward, 4 letters
Coaching Experience —
Nebraska, assistant coach (1998-99 - 2001-02)
Cincinnati, assistant coach (2002-03 - 2004-05)
Kentucky State, head coach (2005-06 - 2006-07)
Louisville, assistant coach (2007-08 - 2011-12)
Family — Husband, Luther