Drew Richards

Biography

After leading Lander to its most regular-season wins in 20 years, as well as a Peach Belt Conference Tournament title, as the head coach of the Bearcats in 2019-20, Drew Richards returned to Pembroke in March 2020 as the 16th head coach of the Braves, and heads into his sixth season leading the Black & Gold in the 2025-26 season. It is the second coaching stint at UNCP for Richards, who helped guide the Braves to a 113-43 (.724) record and four NCAA Tournament appearances as an associate head coach from 2014-19. The Braves compiled a 72-29 (.713) record against conference foes over that span, and captured the PBC regular season and tournament championships in both 2016-17 and 2017-18. His return to Pembroke has resulted in more success for the Black & Gold, leading the Braves to a 104-25 record over the last four seasons, including a ridiculous 73-9 clip in Conference Carolinas play, which has resulted in four regular season conference titles and two Conference Carolinas Tournament championships, and the program's first appearance in the Sweet 16 during the 2024-25 season. A native of Rogersville, Mo., Richards enjoyed immeasurable success as both a player and coach in the 10 years prior to his initial move to Pembroke. A four-year letterwinner at Missouri State, Richards played in 118 career games (69 starts) and helped the Bears compile a collective 80-49 (.620) record and three trips to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Following a stellar collegiate career, Rich