Richardson adjusting to college game

During the last five years, Richardson built Riverdale Baptist High into one of the most successful high school girls basketball programs in the region. Last spring Richardson left to become an American University assistant coach.

Instead of the freedom to seek out and coach the best talent she can find in the Washington area — offering the chance for national exposure and the opportunity to play in the nation’s most elite high school tournaments — now she’s shackled by the strict rules and regulations that govern NCAA recruiting.

“I’ve been a part of this community for a long, long time,” said Richardson. “Nearly every kid who came through D.C., I’ve probably been a part of their basketball life or discussed options with their parents, whether I coached them or not.”

Richardson was 142-20 at Riverdale Baptist, helping the Crusaders gain national top 10 rankings two of the past three seasons. Meanwhile, American was 7-21 in 2005-06, but third-year head coach Melissa McFerrin convinced Richardson she could help the Eagles improve their reputation around Washington and better compete in the Patriot League.

“We had a long series of conversations,” said McFerrin. “I think she knew what American was all about. She knew we were academic-minded. She knew we were trying to build a program here. … Diane is a competitor. She was a competitor at Riverdale Baptist, and she’s a competitor on the recruiting trail here.”

Richardson had a moment of fame right after her promotion — she appeared next to Brenda Frese in a large ESPN the Magazine photograph taken at an AAU tournament for a feature about the Maryland head coach — but the increased travel and duties outside of pure coaching has been a humbling experience.

“American is also trying to make a bigger footprint in the local community,” said Richardson. “I think my presence can help do that.”