Arkansas basketball announced plans for a statue of Nolan Richardson during halftime of their game against Texas on March 4. The Razorbacks will honor their most iconic coach with a permanent fixture outside Bud Walton Arena, commemorating his legacy as a transformative figure in college basketball. Richardson, who led Arkansas to three Final Fours and secured the program’s only national championship in 1994, will be immortalized in bronze, marking a significant milestone in the university’s athletic history. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Richardson began his basketball journey at Eastern Arizona Junior College, a NJCAA institution, before transferring to Texas Western College. After retiring from playing, he embarked on a coaching career that would span decades. His first collegiate coaching role at Western Texas saw him compile a 101-13 record over three seasons, culminating in a dominant 37-0 campaign in 1980 that secured the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. This success earned him recognition as a rising talent in the coaching world. In 1981, Richardson joined the University of Tulsa, becoming the first African-American coach to win the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship. His five-year tenure with the Golden Hurricane laid the groundwork for his eventual arrival at Arkansas in 1986. Over 17 seasons with the Razorbacks, Richardson guided the team to 15 postseason appearances, including a historic 1994 NCAA title. His leadership during that championship run, which featured a 32-4 record, remains a defining chapter in Arkansas basketball history. Throughout his career, Richardson accumulated numerous accolades, including NABC Coach of the Year, Naismith College Coach of the Year, and multiple conference Coach of the Year honors.#texas #arkansas_basketball #nolan_richardson #bud_walton_arena #college_basketball_hall_of_fame
