Dave Richardson is set to return to Ohio State as the men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach, ending a nine‑year absence from the program that helped shape some of the university’s most successful eras.
A legacy of performance
During his previous tenure from 2005 to 2017, Richardson was instrumental in capturing five Big Ten regular‑season titles and four conference tournament championships, while guiding the Buckeyes to five Sweet 16 appearances and two Final Four runs.
His influence extended beyond Ohio State; at Arkansas he served as strength and conditioning coach for both the men’s basketball and women’s tennis teams since September 2018, helping produce NBA draft pick Daniel Gafford and 2020 SEC Player of the Year Mason Jones, while the women’s tennis squad reached a top‑25 national ranking for the first time since 2002‑03.
Looking ahead
The university community anticipates that Richardson’s return will reinvigorate the Buckeyes’ physical development pipeline, leveraging his extensive experience to produce stronger, more resilient athletes ready to compete at the highest level.