UA hires strength and conditioning coach

FAYETTEVILLE — Dave Richardson has been hired as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team, Coach Mike Anderson announced on Friday. He replaces Adam Petway, who left Arkansas to work for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Richardson was the strength and conditioning coach for Ohio State’s men’s basketball team for 12 years from the 2005-06 though 2016-17 seasons for Coach Thad Matta.

Chris Holtmann, who left Butler to replace Matta at Ohio State last season, didn’t retain Richardson and hired Quadrian Banks, who worked for the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson then became Ohio State’s men’s lacrosse strength and conditioning coach last year.

When Richardson worked for Matta he helped the Buckeyes make nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish to Florida in 2007. The Buckeyes won the NIT championship in 2008.

Richardson, who grew up in Monroe, La., was the strength and conditioning coach for the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team for five seasons before going to Ohio State. He also has worked at Louisiana-Monroe and Nicholls State.

Richardson, who served five years in the military and was a member of the All-Army powerlifting team, earned a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and master’s degree in exercise science from Louisiana-Monroe.