Charlotte, NC – The Toronto Argonauts coaching staff added another member to its ranks as Richard Kent signed on as Secondary Coach. Richard Kent’s extensive pro and collegiate level experience has made him an expert at the X’s & O’s of football. For almost nine seasons, Kent worked his way through NFLE, primarily coaching the secondary and special teams, developing game strategy and keying in on the most gifted players. His versatility paid off as he reached the World Bowl four times with two championships to his credit (2005 and 2002).
Head Coach Bart Andrus stated, “Richard Kent was a part of my staff for three seasons in Amsterdam from 2005-2007 and I have no doubt he will be a great asset to us. He was instrumental in helping our football team get to World Bowl XIII and XIV, which we won. He has wide-ranging experience at the professional level. He has always been around championship teams and relates well to the DB position area which is not easy to do. His knowledge of special teams and personnel is also extensive and he is a great teacher of technique.”
With an excellent eye for talent, Kent also served as a personnel director for three seasons in NFL Europa, in addition to his coaching duties. From 2003-2008, he was an NFL International Scout & Consultant for the NFLI Player Development Program. Kent joined the Amsterdam Admirals as a special teams coordinator, secondary coach and personnel director in 2005, and his defensive unit was ranked first in interceptions and passing yards allowed. One season later, Kent was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, while continuing to balance his other special teams and personnel duties. As defensive coordinator in 2007, Kent did not relinquish his personnel duties. In 2004, Kent worked as the secondary and special teams assistant for the Cologne Centurions after spending the previous two seasons with the same titles in Berlin (2002-2003). He began his career in Europe in 1999 coaching with the Scottish Claymores as the secondary and special teams assistant. There, his defensive unit led the league in interceptions and passing yards allowed en route to his first World Bowl appearance. In 2001, he was promoted to special teams coordinator and secondary coach for the Claymores.
Richard Kent remarked, “I am grateful to Bart Andrus and the Toronto Argonauts organization for this opportunity. It is thrilling to be working for such a storied CFL team, the oldest pro franchise in North America. I’m excited to come to Toronto and start working with the players and all of the Argonauts staff.”
Commented new Argos Defensive Coordinator Pete Kuharchek, “I’ve been around Richard Kent a long time in NFLE and many NFL camps. Along with his knowledge and experience, his high energy and enthusiasm will bring a lot to our defence. We have a great working relationship and existing chemistry which should make our transition to the CFL game much smoother.”
Kent has also held various positions on both offence and defence in the college ranks. From 1985 to 2000, he coached at Catawba College (1988-1991, 1995-2000), Texas Southern (1995), Troy State (1992-1994), Austin Peay (1987-1988), Jacksonville State (1987) and Clemson (1985-86).
Born on December 29, 1960, in Asheville, NC, Kent was a quarterback/receiver at Appalachian State from 1979 to 1981. He attended East Henderson H.S. in East Flat Rock, NC.