Richard Wright has served as Northwest Missouri State's defensive line coach and coordinator of special teams since 2004. The Bearcats have featured at least one All-American defensive lineman in every season since.

Tyler Roach became the program's ninth All-American defensive lineman to serve under Wright. Kendall Wright's All-America honor as a return specialist in 2008 gives Wright an even 10. Likewise, 10 Bearcats have combined to earn 14 All-MIAA honors as either a lineman or return man with Wright on staff.

Two former players, Dave Tollefson '05 (New York Giants) and Steve Williams '04 (New England Patriots), are currently listed on NFL rosters. Tollefson earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants following the 2007 season.

Northwest tied for the most pass sacks in the nation in 2009 after 19 Bearcats combined for 48 sacks. The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in quarterback sacks in three of the last four seasons.

Northwest's advantage on special teams has become ever more noticeable under Wright. The Bearcats have blocked 43 kicks in Wright's six seasons - an average of more than seven per year. Northwest blocked eight in 2009, including three in the postseason. The first was an extra point with six seconds left in a 21-20 win against top-ranked Central Washington in the quarterfinals. Northwest returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in its semifinal win against California (Pa.). Ryan Jones returned a blocked extra point for a two-point score in a 30-23 win against Grand Valley State in the national championship game.

In addition, Northwest ranked third in the nation in net punting and 11th in yards allowed per punt return in 2007. In 2009, freshmen Tyler Shaw and Jordan Simmons helped the Bearcats lead the nation in kick return yards for part of the season. The unit finished 17th overall including two touchdowns, one each by Shaw and Simmons, and an average of more than 23 yards per return.

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. He earned his master's degree in physical education from Northwest in 1996.

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