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COACHING

Kevin Richardson joins the Patriots as a defensive assistant following two seasons at Illinois as an assistant defensive backs coach.

Coaching the defensive backs in 2024, Richardson helped lead the Fighting Illini to a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and a final regular season ranking of No.20 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The season was capped by a 21-17 victory over No.14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the biggest bowl wins in program history. He helped coach All-Big Ten First Team selection Xavier Scott, who was one of 15 finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award presented annually to the nation's top defensive back. Scott had four interceptions and Torrie Cox Jr. had three interceptions, ranking second and sixth in the Big Ten. Richardson also coached Matthew Bailey to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors and team captain Miles Scott to a Burlesworth Trophy nomination. In total, the Illini ranked fourth in the league with 12 picks during the regular season. Richardson reunited with head coach Bret Bielema, who he played for at Arkansas.

As the defensive backs coach for Long Island University in 2022, the team led the NEC in interceptions with 13, including 11 from defensive backs. DB Victor Nelson Jr. was named an All-American after ranking second in the FCS with six interceptions.

Richardson helped coach one of the best defensive turnarounds in the nation as a defensive graduate assistant at Illinois in 2021. The Fighting Illinois's scoring defense, third down defense, and total defense improved more than 50 spots in the national rankings from 2020. Working with the defensive backs, Richardson coached Devon Witherspoon Kerby Joseph, Sydney Brown, and Jartavius "Quan" Martin, who all went on to be drafted in the NFL. He also coached Tony Adams, who became an undrafted free agent in the NFL after his time at Illinois.

PLAYING

Richardson played in 48 games for Arkansas from 2013-18 as a defensive back, recording 125 total tackles and four interceptions while serving as a team captain and earning Phil Steele All-SEC third team honors in 2017. He shared the field as teammates of Deatrich Wise Jr. and Hunter Hunry while at Arkansas. The former walk-on's biggest moments included a 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Ole Miss in 2017 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter to help Arkansas win, 38-37. Richardson also recorded interceptions against SEC standouts Jalen Hurts (Alabama) and Jarrett Stidham (Auburn). Following his career at Arkansas, Richardson signed with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats before beginning his coaching career.

PERSONAL

A native of Jacksonville, Ark., Richardson graduated from Arkansas with a degree in sociology in 2017. He and wife, Jailyn, got married in July 2025.