Maryland officially names Terry Richardson running backs coach

Maryland formally introduced former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Terry Richardson as its new running backs coach Thursday, the school announced.

Richardson had agreed to take the job earlier this week, marking a reunion with Maryland Coach Randy Edsall. Richardson served as Edsall’s running backs coach for 12 years at Connecticut, then spent two years in the same role with the University of Miami from 2011-12. He coached running backs for two years in Jacksonville, where he was fired last month in the wake of the organization’s restructuring of the coaching staff.

Richardson, who will replace Andre Powell, figures to bring Maryland veteran coaching experience and strong recruiting ties in Florida. He served as Miami’s in-state recruiting coordinator during his two years with the school, helping attract a long list of heralded prospects.

He is credited with helping groom a number of running backs for NFL success. At Connecticut, he coached Donald Brown (San Diego) and Jordan Todman (Jacksonville); Miami running backs Lamar Miller and Duke Johnson had two of the most productive seasons in school history under Richardson’s guidance.

A former standout running back at Syracuse who led the program in rushing in 1993, Richardson spent four years in the NFL, including stints with Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

Maryland’s running game was 12th in the Big Ten in rushing offense last season (121.8 yards per game).

“Terry brings a wealth of experience tutoring running backs on both the professional and college levels,” Edsall said in a statement. “He is a talented recruiter and has had a great record of developing prolific backs throughout his coaching career. I look forward to seeing the impact that he will have on our student athletes.”