Richard was hired in 2008 by Carroll as a graduate assistant coach for the USC secondary (defensive backs).
He followed Carroll to the NFL and joined his former team, the Seahawks, as secondary coach.[7] Richard was instrumental to the formation of the Legion of Boom defensive secondary. He helped coach and develop players such as Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, Byron Maxwell and for his rookie season only, Shaquill Griffin. Bleacher Report described the Legion of Boom's accomplishments as a credit not only to Richard, but to Carroll, who was a safety himself in his playing days and began his coaching career as a secondary coach. He won his first Super Bowl title when the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.[8]
After losing Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks promoted Richard to defensive coordinator to replace Dan Quinn, who had left to become the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons.[7]
As the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Richard's defense ranked first in points allowed for the 2015 season, third in 2016 and thirteenth in 2017.[9]
Richard was relieved of his defensive coordinator duties following the 2017 season.[9]
On January 22, 2018, Richard was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as their passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.[10] He was credited with the decision to move Byron Jones to cornerback fulltime, who went on to receive Pro Bowl honors. He was given the defensive play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.[11] During his time with the Cowboys he was seen as a head coach candidate around the league and had interviews with 4 teams (Buccaneers, Jets, Dolphins and Giants).[12] On January 13, 2020, it was reported that Richard would not be retained by Dallas following the removal of head coach Jason Garrett.[13]
On February 2, 2021, Richard was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their defensive backs coach under head coach Sean Payton, replacing Aaron Glenn, who departed to become the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
On February 1, 2023, Richard parted ways with the Saints.[14]
On February 22, 2024, Richard was named defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.[15]
On February 19, 2026, Richard was hired by Stanford as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.[16]
