Coach

Nathanael Richardson Sr. is the fifth of 14 siblings of Sam Sr. and Sarah Richardson. Born in Fort Lauderdale, young Nate devoted time to his church, Greater Horizon’s Church of God by Faith and later became an ordained Minister, ultimately serving as Assistant Pastor.  Actively participating in church, and as an avid athlete while working at Miramar High School, Nate was also a Junior Varsity Football Head Coach while seeking out the athleticism of Wrestling. His first wrestling match in ninth grade resulted in a broken ankle, but that didn’t stop his interest. Continuing in wrestling while pursuing his education, Nate attained an Associate Degree at Miami Dade Community College in Health Education, then time at the University of Southwest Louisiana, FIU, and Trinity University, where he received a Bachelor Degree in Human Resource Management and Biblical Studies. At FIU in 1979, he became both Florida College State Champion and NCAA National Qualifier.

Nate’s Wrestling Head Coach in college, Rick Tucci, developed his skills as well as introducing him to the All-Army Wrestling Team. Nate enlisted in 1980 in the United States Army as a 03C Activity Specialist. While serving, he actively wrestling for four years on the distinguished Army team, promoting patriotism and dedication to the sport.                                       In the Army, Nate met his wife of 38 years, Gwen Richardson. They had five children.  Nate’s love for wrestling drove him to help other fellow wrestlers overseas in Seoul, Korea, training with the Korean Olympic Team at Dongu University, coaching at Seoul America High School, and teaching freestyle wrestling. The Richardson family left Korea and moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, where Nate coached at Lawton High School and officiated at the Freestyle and Greco Roman National Tournament.                                                                                    

After being discharged from the Army and moving back to Florida, Nate worked as Head Wrestling Coach at Chaminade Madonna Prep College for one season, 1987-1988.  Afterwards, he made the decision to give back to the place that began his wrestling coaching career, Miramar High School. Becoming the Wrestling Head coach in 1995, he creating a program for 19 years where success was not just on the mat but also in the classroom. Nate taught Health Education and Treating Athletic Injuries for 21 years. He mentored and coached 12 BCAA Individual Champions, 5 BCAA MVP Wrestlers, 14 Regional Champions, 4 State finalist, 42 State Qualifiers, 22 State Placers, 3 All Americans, and 1 State Champion. Nate is a 2-time BCAA Coach of the Year finalist, and has a coaching record of 402-247 dual meets. He knows that “90% of coaching is done in the practice room”, and uses the practice room to exude respect for the craft and for the opponent. He helped establish the motto that would lead all who enter the red and blue mat, “I like it, I love it, I want more of it”. Coach Richardson is a staple in the South Florida wrestling community and has devoted sweat, blood, and broken bones. His induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020 is an honor that will illustrate all the years of devotion to the sport of wrestling.