Head Coach John Richardson III has led Elizabeth City State’s men’s basketball program over the past three seasons, compiling a 22-45 overall record since taking over midway through the 2023-24 campaign. Elevated to the interim role during the season, he guided the Vikings to a 7-8 finish down the stretch, providing stability and leadership in a transitional period.
Since then, Coach Richardson has continued to build the program while navigating roster turnover and development, leading ECSU through full seasons in 2024-25 and 2025-26. His tenure has focused on establishing a competitive culture, developing student-athletes, and laying the groundwork for long-term success within the program. This past season led to the development and standout campaign for student-athlete Donovan Flamer, who won CIAA Rookie of the Year under Richardson's guidance.
A native of Aulander, N.C., Richardson '95 boasts nearly two decades of coaching Division I basketball with a combined 16 years of experience as an assistant coach at Old Dominion University (ODU) and an additional two years as an assistant at Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Prior to his appointment at Virginia Tech in 2005, Richardson coached back-to-back Virginia High School League State Championship teams at Woodside High School in 2004 and 2005.
Richardson has seen outstanding success as an assistant coach at ODU. His accolades include being named one of the top 50 Most Impactful Assistant Coaches by Silverwares Media and Top 5 Men’s Basketball Assistants in C-USA conference in 2020 and 2022; regular season and tournament championship and a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament berth in 2019; and a conference championship in 2010.
While Richardson’s resume offers many things that bring him pride, it is his work with students that brought them academic and athletic success that drives his passion.
“I believe being a champion in competition, in the classroom, and in the community is vital to the success of any institution of learning. Throughout my coaching career, my mission has been to positively impact the futures of our athletes by focusing on three pillars – social well-being, academic and athletic development,” he said. “My mission has always been and will continue to be to positively impact the futures of our athletes.”
