RUSTON - After four seasons as head coach of the Louisiana Tech baseball team, head coach Jeff "Whitey" Richardson announced his resignation this week citing family reasons for his decision.
"Since 1992, my family has moved 10 times and I think it was just a situation where we wanted to be in one place and not bouncing our kids around the country," Richardson said. "All of our family is in Nebraska and we thought it would be good for the kids to be near their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Obviously it is tough leaving here but at the same time there are new challenges out there."
Richardson took over the program during the 1999 season, building a misleading 99-129 record during his tenure. Richardson took over a program that had posted six straight losing seasons and slowly rebuilt the Bulldogs, guiding the team to a 32-26 record in 2001, Tech's first winning season since 1992 and the most wins since the 1989 season.
"We know the pull to be back in Nebraska for both Whitey and (wife) Jane was strong," said Louisiana Tech athletics director Jim Oakes. "I selfishly regret not having his services as coach, but I understand his desire to be back closer to home."
As Louisiana Tech's coach, Richardson had 12 all-conference players and four players signed by major league teams.
"I think the thing I'll miss the most is competing," Richardson said. "As a coach you can no longer play but you have some say in the outcome of the game, whether it is through the players you recruit or game strategy. That competition is probably the funniest part about coaching."
Although Richardson will no longer be involved day-to-day with Louisiana Tech, the Nebraska native still has strong ties with the university.
Richardson played for the Bulldogs during the 1985 and 1986 seasons, leading the 1986 team to the NCAA Tournament. During his playing days at Tech, Richardson batted .305 while leading the team in stolen bases. He still ranks second in Louisiana Tech's all-time stolen base category with 64 in two seasons and currently holds the school record with four stolen bases in a single game.
"I'll still come back and visit all the wonderful friends that I have made here," Richardson said. "Tech is my school and I'm still going to follow them closely."
Following the 1986 season, Richardson was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and in 1989 made his major league debut for the Reds as the youngest starting shortstop in the league at age 23.
Richardson also had stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox before beginning his coaching career in the minor leagues. Richardson coached the Lynchburg (Va.) Hillcats, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Class A team, to the 1997 Carolina League Championship before heading to Louisiana Tech.