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Illinois State University Athletics

Dru Richardson

Dru Richardson

Dru Richardson is in his second season an assistant coach working with the Redbird defensive backs in 2026. Richardson works alongside veteran Redbird assistant coach Cody Deti to mentor the ISU defensive backfield.

The 2025 season was a magical one for the Redbirds, who won an unprecedented four road games on way to making the FCS National Championship game. The Redbird defense ranked No. 3 in the country in passes intercepted with 19, ranked No. 25 in the FCS in rushing defense (130.6) and was sixth in the country in turnovers gained with 26. The Redbird defense also saw an immediate impact in the secondary from Shadwel Nkuba II, who earned All-MVFC and All-America honors and led the team with five interceptions on the year. The secondary also received a big performance from La'Shavion Brown, who earned All-MVFC Second Team honors after ranking second on the team with 93 tackles, including 49 solo stops, with four pass breakups, one tackle-for-loss and one interception on the year.

Richardson came to Illinois State from Elmhurst University, where he spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach. 

Richardson came to Elmhurst following one season as the defensive backs coach and academic coordinator at Illinois Wesleyan. Richardson also made stops at Berry College from 2020-22 as a defensive backs and strength and conditioning coach, at Ohio Northern from 2018-20 as safeties coach, and at Roosevelt University as a graduate assistant from 2016-18.

A four-year letterwinner at Robert Morris University (currently Roosevelt University) from 2012-2016, Richardson was a member of the NAIA’s top rushing defense in 2014 as a defensive back, allowing 75.8 rushing yards per game and leading his team to a 29-14 record in his time at Robert Morris. 

Richardson owns a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a member of the Sigma Beta Delta honor society. He also holds a master’s degree in management with a sports administration concentration from Roosevelt University.