Kevin Richardson spent three seasons on the Illinois staff in 2021, 2023, and 2024. He was the assistant defensive backs coach for the Illini in 2024 after previously serving as a defensive analyst in 2023 and graduate assistant in 2021. Between stops in Champaign, Richardson spent the 2022 season at Long Island University, where he was the team's defensive backs coach.

In his first season as assistant defensive backs coach at Illinois in 2024, Richardson helped develop a defensive backfield that was a key factor in the growth of the Fighting Illini's defense. The defense helped the Illini to a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and a final regular-season ranking of #20 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The season was capped by a 21-17 victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the biggest bowl wins in program history, as the defensive backs helped hold the Gamecocks to 14 points under their season scoring average and South Carolina's second-lowest scoring output of the season. Richardson helped coach All-Big Ten First Team selection Xavier Scott, who was one of 15 finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back. Scott had four interceptions and Torrie Cox Jr. added three interceptions, ranking second and sixth in the Big Ten, respectively during the regular season. The Illini ranked fourth in the league with 12 picks during the regular season, and according to PFF, Illinois’ defense posted a coverage grade of 87.8 on the season, ranking 23rd nationally.

Richardson led Long Island's defensive backs to a substantial rise in 2022. Long Island led the NEC in interceptions with 13, including 11 by defensive backs. Long Island defensive back Victor Nelson Jr. was named an All-American after ranking second in the FCS with six interceptions. 

Richardson previously served as a defensive graduate assistant at Illinois in 2021. Prior to his first year at Illinois, he coached defensive backs at Northeastern State (Division II) in 2020 and served as a graduate assistant at MidAmerica Nazarene (NAIA) in 2019.

Richardson helped coach one of the best defensive turnarounds in the nation in 2021, helping Illinois to a 5-7 record and ranked wins over #7 Penn State and #20 Minnesota. Illinois' scoring defense (31st from 97th), third down defense (31st from 89th), and total defense (52nd from 114th) all improved more than 50 spots in the national rankings from 2020. The Illini made massive gains in the Big Ten defensive rankings, as well, jumping 9+ spots in scoring defense (4th from 14th), touchdowns allowed (t-3rd from 14th), yards allowed per game (5th from 14th), and passing yards allowed per game (1st from 10th). 

Richardson is reunited with his college head coach Bret Bielema, who he played for at Arkansas. Richardson played in 48 games for Arkansas from 2013-18 at defensive back, recording 125 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, while also serving as a team captain and earning Phil Steele All-SEC third team honors in 2017. The former walk-on’s biggest moments included a 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Ole Miss in 2017 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter to help Arkansas win, 38-37, and interceptions against SEC standouts Jalen Hurts (Alabama) and Jarrett Stidham (Auburn). Following his Arkansas career, Richardson signed with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats before beginning his coaching career.

Richardson graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Sociology in 2017. He is the son of Kevin and Sanci Richardson and has five siblings: Airic Hughes, Chanel Richardson, Sacha Richardson, Keilen Richardson, and Zylah Richardson. He and his fiancé, Jailyn, became engaged in July 2023 and are scheduled to  marry in July 2025.

Coaching Career