Rich Wright
Special Teams/Defensive Line
5th Season

Richard Wright is entering his fifth season as a full-time member of the Northwest staff. He serves as defensive line coach and coordinator of special teams.

The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in pass sacks the past two seasons and coach Wright is a major reason why. Wright added two All-America defensive linemen in 2007 to up his total to six in four seasons. Two former players, Dave Tollefson ’05 and Steve Williams ’04 are currently listed on NFL rosters.

Northwest continues its dominance on special teams. In 2007, the Bearcats ranked third in the nation in net punting (37.0 ypp) and the unit’s allowance of 5.2 yards per punt return ranked 11th. Northwest has blocked 16 kicks in the past two seasons and 30 in Wright’s four seasons.

Wright was a graduate assistant at Northwest in 1995 and 1996 when he was tight ends coach. Before coming back to Northwest in 2004, Wright was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at St. Ambrose (Iowa) University from 2000-04. During that time, the Fighting Bees won four straight conference titles and set the league record for consecutive wins. In his first season, Wright’s defense led the country with 32 interceptions.

Wright also made stops at William Penn (Iowa) College and Central Methodist College (now University) in 1999, Dakota State University in 1998, Dana College from 1993-94 and Cortland State in 1991.

Covering several facets of coaching, Wright has been an offensive coordinator, linebackers coach, wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator.

Wright is a 1995 graduate of Dana (Neb.) College with a degree in physical education. Wright earned his master’s degree in physical education from Northwest in 1996.

Wright and his wife, Sarah, reside in Maryville with their daughters Grace (4) and Kate (1). Sarah is a 1998 Northwest graduate.

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