Richardson in line and in command

As the new head coach of Mullen football, it’s happening hard and fast for Stanley Richardson.

To wit:

--- He took over the program late last month.

--- The former assistant was fortunate to have the Mustangs staff return virtually intact.

--- He is overseeing OTAs and has a group of offensive linemen in a Broncos tournament.

--- And he just found out Mullen will remain with Jefferson County schools in league for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

“We’re ready to roll,” Richardson said.

A native Denverite, Richardson, who was a first-year assistant with the Mustangs in 2018, graduated from George Washington High School and later played baseball at Alabama State. He has 25 years coaching experience, including in Arizona as well as with Smoky Hill and the Far Northeast Warriors. He currently is the dean of students at FNE.

“Well, it’s super-exciting,” Richardson said of becoming head coach. “And we’re excited to take over and not have the kids start from scratch.”

After Vincent White unexpectedly resigned late (May 23) relative to the new season, Richardson and the second-year group of assistants have been able to keep it relatively stable for a group that was a disappointing 4-7 a year ago and is going through off-season training. They also are in a Broncos skills gathering with 24 other teams that will culminate on Saturday in Dove Valley, where 12 Mustangs, including Notre Dame commit Aidan Keanaaina and Luke Malone, will compete in such drills as flipping truck tires, tug-of-way, one-on-one drills and bench press.

As well, Mullen will remain in the same group two seasons beyond 2019. Currently, the Mustangs are with Arvada West, Columbine, Lakewood, Pomona and Ralston Valley on the left side of the Denver-metropolitan area in the Class 5A Metro West League. From 2020-21, it will be known as the Jeffco League.

Concerning other big-school leagues (seven total involving 42 schools) that have undergone yet another round of modifications:

Centennial – Arapahoe, Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, Grandview and Smoky Hill.

Douglas County – Castle View, Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon, ThunderRidge and Valor Christian.

Metro 1 – Adams City, Boulder, Fort Collins, Mountain Range, Northglenn and Westminster.

Metro 2 – Denver East, Far Northeast, Hinkley, Overland, Prairie View and Rangeview.

North – Fairview, Fossil Ridge, Horizon, Legacy, Poudre and Rocky Mountain.

South – Chaparral, Doherty, Douglas County, Legend, Pine Creek and Regis Jesuit, although in yet another classification oddity, Pine Creek will be eliginble for the 4A postseason.

An earlier proposal being discussed had Mullen rejoining the Centennial in football (it is in the league in every other sport), but Richardson said “yeah, I’m fine with it, perfectly fine. I think it’s a tough league with Columbine and Pomona and Arvada West and all of them, and it’s definitely a a challenge for us, but it’s a league we want to win. We haven’t done it in a couple of years and we want to get back to where we once were (winning championships).”

Really, he added, “it wouldn’t matter (Jeffco or Centennial) … they’re both super tough.”

While there are about two months before preseason drills begin, Richardson said he and his staff will keep working and be ready to begin the season as if there was no change. Twenty-two seniors will lead the way.

“I think we can be a lot better,” Richardson said.