Kentridge hires Richard Thomas as new head football coach
Published 1:30 am Friday, December 26, 2025
Kentridge football has a new man in charge as they try to get back on track after winning just nine games since 2022.
Former Kentwood High School and University of Washington running back Richard Thomas was named the new head football coach at Kentridge High School on Dec. 18, according to an email from Kentridge Athletic Director John Flanigan.
“Kentridge is looking forward to Coach Thomas’ high character approach and vast football knowledge and experience being brought to our football program,” Flanigan said in the email.
During his high school career, Thomas played in back-to-back state championships, and unfortunately was on the losing ends in both contests.
He continued his winning ways to the University of Washington, where he transitioned to fullback and finished his career as a national champion (1991) and a three time Pac-10 champ.
Arguably his most notable play was a 75-yard touchdown reception in the second half of the 1994 Orange Bowl. In the game that would be given the nickname the “Whammy in Miami,” the Huskies upset No. 6 Miami in the Orange Bowl.
Thomas caught a pass from Damon Huard and then ran away from the Miami team that included NFL Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp, current Thomas Jefferson head coach Tremain Mack and even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on it.
Thomas was an assistant coach at Lake Washington after his playing career and has even coached youth football when his kids were younger.
But now Thomas will take over for Nick Cairns, who announced his resignation via social media back on Nov. 18. Cairns was in charge of the Chargers for five seasons and went 9-39 over that span.
