Richardson's former coach talks draft

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - This whole week leading up to the NFL draft, Jimmie Nichols says his phone has been ringing off the hook.

The former Escambia High School head football coach has been talking to NFL teams about a certain former player of his, Trent Richardson.

But Thursday morning, the voice on the other end was the new Cleveland Browns back himself. Nichols said Trent was overwhelmed- even scared- and he needed some coaching from Nichols, one final time.

“I said, ‘Trent, there’s one thing I want you to do, stay healthy, and break Emmitt’s record. And I’ll be a happy man," Nichols said.

Nichols said when Richardson first started playing at EHS, his pass-catching and his blocking were both poor. So the two worked on it together, and Richardson rushed for 2,090 yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior year.

Nichols said the two also developed quite the friendship along the way.

“I’m just so proud, it’s almost like it’s my son, that kind of pride," Nichols said.

Nichols says what sets Richardson apart from other athletes are his uncanny work ethic and his attitude. As the former coach put it, you’ll never pick up a paper and see Richardson in it in a negative light.

“He’s the full package, he can do it all," Nichols said. "He can run over you, he can run away from you, he’s got great vision, he can catch the ball, he’s a great blocker. So, I mean, he’s probably the best running back in the NFL before he ever gets in there.”

He’ll follow in an organization which boasts once having Jim Brown, arguably the greatest running back of all-time. But if you ask his old coach, it’s a perfect fit.

“I think it’s ideal for him, I think he will showcase his talents in a big way there," Nichols said. "Because Colt McCoy had a sub-par year, they’re looking for him to do better, but until he gets groomed, gets better, you know they’re going to hand the ball off to that running back- that’s going to be their offense.”

Richardson is both the runner and the man he is today thanks, in part, to Nichols, who coached the back since his junior year in high school.

But now, Nichols is retired, and ready to sit back and watch the show.

“I’m just so proud to be a little part of this," Nichols said.