Image of Women's XC race
Image of Women's XC race

Pierce College names Danny Richards as first Head Coach of new Women’s Cross Country program

LAKEWOOD, WA – Pierce College Athletics announced the selection of Danny Richards as the first Head Coach of the college’s new Women’s Cross Country program.  Richards begins his duties with the Raiders immediately, and the team will begin competing in the upcoming Fall season.

image of coach Danny Richards

Richards comes to Pierce after spending the past six years (2014-2019) as the head coach of the girls cross country team at Stadium High School. 

During his time at Stadium, his teams won three Pierce County League titles (2016, 2017 & 2018), and qualified for the Washington State Championships in 2014, and 2016-2018. 

Richards was named PCL Coach of the Year in 2017 & 2018.  He also served as the head coach for Stadium’s girls track & field program the past two seasons (2018 & 2019), where he coached runners to new school records in the 1600m, 3200m, 400m, and 4x400 relay. 

While at Stadium, Richards developed a team culture that embraced runners at all levels.  “My goal is to support every student-athlete at whatever their individual ability level may be, and help them to strive to bring out their very best,” said the newly hired Coach Richards. 

“We are excited to have a coach with Danny’s passion and energy for the sport as the program’s first head coach,” said athletic director Duncan Stevenson.  “Danny has established an outstanding reputation in the running community, and has great connections in the Tacoma-Pierce County area.  We believe he has all the tools to build our new program into a competitive force in the NWAC.”

Richards is a Tacoma native, and a graduate of Stadium High School.  He ran for the Tigers for four years, under Head Coach Terry Rice.  He graduated from Eastern Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.