BOYS BAKETBALL

 

Assistant Coach/J.V Coach

 

Alan Gerald Richards, Sr.

The Man We All Know As "Coach Duck"

 

Alan "Duck" Richards is the Founder and Director of the Griffin Grasshoppers Association, Inc. a Non-Profit Organization that use basketball to develop on-the-court skills and improve off-the-court life. Coach Duck is a native of Griffin, Georgia and was very disturbed to see that under privilledge and economically challenged kids were being overlooked. Therefore, the Griffin Grasshoppers Association Inc. was established in 1993 by Coach Duck who is a former hoops player at Griffin High School with NBA Legend teammate "Jumping" Joe Ward. Coach Duck is one of those people whose passion and love of the game of basketball is contagious. He honestly believes that every child deserves a chance regardless of their conditions. He spent the last two decades developing high school basketball players by increasing quality and integrity of basketball through Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Tournaments. Coach Duck has coached at every level of play, Spalding County Parks and Recreation (1991-1993), AAU (1993-2014), Taylor Street Middle School (2003-2004) and Henderson Middle School (2004-2006), Jackson (2004-2006), Gordon State College (2006-2009), Morrow High School (2009-20012), Griffin High School (2013-2014), Military US Marine Corps (1988-1990) and professionals in the ABA where he's been the General Manager and Head Coach for the Atlanta Aliens ABA professional basketball team for the past five years (2010-2014). While coaching AAU, nearly 400 student-athletes have received scholarships; notably every senior that graduated for the past consecutive seven years have received a scholarship within his coaching tenure. He has been honored as the community "Best Positive Role Model" for today's youths and labeled as a "Minister of Basketball".

 

Prior to coaching, Coach Duck served in the United States Marine Corps for twenty-four years where he played on the All-Marines Basketball Team for five years. He attributes his tough, intense, mental and physical approach of the game to the rigorous training he received in the Marine Corps while at Parris Island, South Carolina. He spent three years as a Marine Drill Instructor training thousands of recruits to become combat ready Marines. His tough discipline tactic on the basketball court has been very effective for all the players under his leadership. Coach Duck also utilized his Marine Corps training when he worked as an Atlanta Police Officer for fifteen years before starting his career as an educator. Coach Duck is a published author, lecturer and has coached a team in the AAU Nationals for the past fifteen consecutive years compiling 321 wins; a 20 win average per year. He is a true devoted educator with a brilliant basketball mind, especially innovative ways to market and expose his players. Coached three All-American (Thomas "Jay" Brown, Cameron Solomon and DeAngelo Anthony), two Nike All-American (Jordan Faciane and Markeshia Campbell), Henry County Player of the Year (Isaiah Massey), Clayton County Player of the Year (Cameron Solomon), GHSA 4-AAAA State Champion Most Valuable Player (Arthur "Pete" Driver),   Coach Duck has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Saint Leo University. He is married to the former Pamela McMichael of Griffin. He has one daughter Nala and three sons, Alan Jr, Zalan and Alando.  Coach Harre's thoughts on Coach Duck:  "Duck Richards is Griffin Basketball, He played here, has lived in the area for over 4 decades and has given his life to the young men of our community.  During this time he has shaped, changed, and molded the lives of countless young men through his dedication and thoughtless devotion to see these young men grow to become responsible husbands and members of society.