Rick first became involved in wrestling when he was named Head Coach at J. O. Johnson High School in Huntsville in 1983.  He was named to that position by Paul Parvin who had been the coach.  Paul was helpful in starting a first-time coach at the 6A level (the highest at that time).  Rick’s first team at Johnson High School finished 10th in the state.  They had a state champion and also won several trophies that year.

Rick moved to Grissom High School in 1989 to assist Joe Desaro.  In his 12 years at Grissom, the team won 4 state championships and were runners up 4 times.  This also included 11 Huntsville City Championships along with numerous other tournament championships.

After twenty years of coaching wrestling, Rick was encouraged to become a wrestling official by Hall of Fame member John Calvarese.  Rick was mentored as an official by Hall of Fame members Willie Staggs and Dan Featherston.  During his eight years as a wrestling official, Rick officiated six sectional tournaments and two state tournaments. 

Rick stopped officiating when he was named Head Football Coach at St. John Paul II Catholic High School.  John Calvarese influenced Rick to assist with the state wrestling tournament, and he filled numerous roles as a volunteer at the AHSAA State Tournament for eight years.

Rick is a graduate of Butler High School and UAH.  Rick has three sons.  Bo Daniel, Blake Daniel and Brad Daniel.  He also has a grandson, Caden Daniel.