Kris Richard, who spent the last three seasons on the Saints' staff, is in his first season as the defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Richard brings 17 years of NFL coaching and playing experience to Jacksonville.
Richard served as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the New Orleans Saints in 2022 alongside Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen. The 2022 defensive unit finished the season ranked fifth in total defense and their average of 184.4 passing yards per game allowed was the second best in the NFL. As secondary coach for the Saints in 2021, Richard helped third round draft pick Paulson Adebo tie for the team lead with three interceptions, second among all NFL rookies. Marshon Lattimore continued his improvement under Richard with a career-high 19 passes defensed, ranking third in the NFL. New Orleans was tied for sixth in the NFL with 18 interceptions.
From 2018-19, Richard served as passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2019, the Cowboys finished in the top ten in opponent third down percentage, pass defense, touchdown passes and passing touchdown percentage. Linebacker Jaylon Smith was selected to his first Pro Bowl. In 2018, his first season in Dallas, the Cowboys won the NFC East and finished the season seventh in total defense, sixth in points-per-game and seventh in red zone defense. Richard's tutelage played a role in the growth of Byron Jones, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod and AP second-team All-Pro honors and leading the team in passes defensed.
Prior to his arrival in Dallas, Richard spent eight seasons (2010-2017) in different capacities for the Seattle Seahawks, including the last three as defensive coordinator. During his tenure, Seattle boasted a defense that ranked in the top-five for five straight seasons (2012-16). Under his coaching, safety Earl Thomas earned five Pro Bowl nominations and four AP All-Pro (three first-team, one second-team) selections, cornerback Richard Sherman was a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro (three first-team, one second-team) and safety Kam Chancellor a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro. Sherman's 32 career interceptions are tied for fourth in Seahawks history with Hall of Famer Kenny Easley.
Richard originally joined the Seahawks in 2010 and served as defensive backs coach from 2012-2014. In 2013, the secondary propelled Seattle's defense to one of the NFL's most dominant. The Seahawks defensive backfield helped Seattle rank first in the league in passing defense, interceptions and opponent passer rating. In Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII victory over Denver, the secondary held Peyton Manning to 280 passing yards, a 73.5 passer rating and recorded one interception.
Prior to joining Seattle, Richard spent two seasons (2008-09) as a graduate assistant at the University of Southern California, working with the defensive backs, alongside then head coach Pete Carroll.
Originally a third-round pick (85th overall) by Seattle, Richard played in 38 games at cornerback with one start for the Seahawks from 2002-04 before playing one season in San Francisco (2005). Richard lettered four years (1998-2001) at USC, starting his final three seasons. He had eight career interceptions and returned three for touchdowns, along with 125 tackles, 19 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. The Los Angeles native received his bachelor's degree in sociology.
