The Collegian
Thursday, April 18, 2024

Richmond football hires new offensive coordinator, again

Coaching experience with the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, as well as personal experience playing in the NFL, are just a few of the bullet points on the resume belonging to John Garrett, Richmond’s new offensive coordinator.

According to UVA Athletics, Garrett, brother of Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys head coach, began his career playing football at Columbia and Princeton before graduating in 1988 and signing with the Bengals as a wide receiver in 1989. He began coaching in the NFL in 1992, and coaching college football in 2004 with the University of Virginia.

Spider head coach Danny Rocco told the Richmond-Times Dispatch that he and Garrett had met during their time coaching the Cavaliers (2004-2006), when they were both assistant coaches. They have since maintained a good relationship.

Rocco finalized and confirmed Garrett’s position on Tuesday. Garrett spent the 2015 season on the offensive staff at the University of Florida.

Richmond’s last offensive coordinator had great success in his previous season with the Spiders. He had so much success that he was given an elevated position at another university.

Charlie Fisher, Richmond’s offensive coordinator in a 2015 season when the Spiders went 10-4 (6-2 CAA) and made it to the FCS Semifinals, was hired as the head coach at Western Illinois University.

Under Fisher, Richmond’s offense switched from a spread to an I-formation and averaged 33 points per game. Rocco told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Garrett would continue to supervise this offense and make the necessary adjustments to advance their playing style.

When Fisher left, Rocco had said that he would consider Sparky Woods for the job, but decided against it since Woods currently serves as the Spiders’ associate head coach, running back coach and recruiting coordinator.

The Rocco and Garrett reunion is coming with a team that has high expectations to live up to next season because most of the starters from the impressive 2015 season will return.

Contact Jennie Trejo at jennifer.trejo@richmond.edu

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