Washington State Baseball added former Cougar infielder Tommy Richards as an assistant coach, Head Coach Nathan Choate announced June 4. Richards was promoted to the Cougars' recruiting coordinator and infield coach in June, 2025.
Richards has served as the head coach at Bushnell University (NAIA) for the past three seasons after the school started the baseball program in 2022. The Beacons increased their win total each season under Richards, capped by 29-win 2024 campaign that saw Bushnell win the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship and earn the program’s first NAIA National Tournament appearance in school history.
“We are very excited about the addition of Tommy Richards,” Choate said. “Tommy is a northwest guy who has done a tremendous job leading Bushnell University, building that program in three short years capped off by winning the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament this season.
“With the ever changing landscape of college athletics, we feel it’s important to bring in players and coaches who want to be Cougs and want to represent Washington State University. Tommy is a true Coug having played and graduated from WSU and we are thrilled to welcome Tommy and his family back to the Palouse.”
The former Cougar infielder played for Washington State (2009-12), appeared in 155 career games, played on WSU’s last two NCAA Tournament teams in 2009 and 2010 and was later drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 24th round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
“My family and I are very thankful for this opportunity,” Richards said. “As alumni, this place holds a special place in our hearts and we have always been amazed by the wonderful people on the Palouse. We are excited to follow Coach Choate's lead into a new era of Cougar Baseball. Go Cougs!”
This past season, Richards saw his Bushnell club post a 29-win season while three players earned All-Cascade Collegiate Conference including two who received Gold Gloves as well. Six Beacons hit over .300, three players hit double-digit home runs and as a team, Bushnell was third in the conference with a .289 team batting average and second with 57 home runs. Following the season, Richards was named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of Character given to the Coach who represents the core values of the NAIA – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.
Richards went to Bushnell after spending six seasons as a top collegiate assistant including stints at NCAA DIII Whitman College (Walla Walla, Wash.) and Lindenwood University–Belleville, an NAIA school in Illinois.
While playing for the Cougars, he spent two summers playing for the West Coast League's Bend Elks in his hometown. In 2009, Richards helped push the Elks to the playoffs and in 2010 he batted .364 to capture the WCL batting title and earn league MVP honors.
After three seasons in professional baseball, he began his coaching career at Lindenwood - Belleville.
Richards earned his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Washington State University and his MBA from Lindenwood University.
Richards and his wife, Jessica (also a Coug alum), have three children, Hank, George, and Lou.
