Leon Kenneth "Cul" Richards (May 5, 1898 – December 31, 1970) was an American athletics coach and businessman. Born in Britt, Iowa in 1898, he graduated from Grinnell College in 1922.[1] At Grinnell, he played on the football team under coach Bud Saunders. In 1924 he became coach of the freshman football team at Clemson College (now University), under head varsity coach Saunders.[2] Richards was also head baseball coach in 1926, leading the team to an 8–11 record.[3] He and Frank Padgett were interim head coaches for one game in the 1926 football season after Saunders resigned and before Bob Williams took over.[4][5]

Cul Richards
Cul Richards (Taps 1927).png
Richards in 1927
Biographical details
Born(1898-05-05)May 5, 1898
Britt, Iowa, U.S.
DiedDecember 31, 1970(1970-12-31) (aged 72)
Adamsville, Texas, U.S.
Alma materGrinnell College (A.B. 1922)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Baseball
1926Clemson
Football
1924–25Clemson (freshmen)
Head coaching record
Overall8–11

Richards left Clemson after receiving a degree in civil engineering in 1927.[1] He moved to Waco, Texas, and started a construction supply business. His son was the husband of Texas Governor Ann Richards.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Vol. 53, No. 7. American Society of Civil Engineers. September 1927. p. 308.
  2. ^ "Tigers Sharpen Claws on Gridiron as New Season Nears Opening Date". The Tiger. Vol. XX, no. 7. September 10, 1924. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Hennessy, Brian. "2023 Clemson Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). Clemson Tigers. p. 131. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "Coach Bud Saunders Resigns as Clemson Football Mentor". The Tiger. Vol. XXII, no. 4. October 6, 1926. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Reid, Jan (2012). Let the People In: The Life and Times of Ann Richards. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292745797. Retrieved January 10, 2024.