Joseph Richards is the head coach of women's rowing at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He was appointed head coach in spring 2019 after serving as the Patriots' interim head coach the previous season. Richards joined George Mason in September 2013 as an assistant coach, and the 2022-23 year marked his 10th season with the program.
Before arriving at George Mason, Richards spent five years at Colby College, where he worked with the men's and women's rowing teams after joining the staff in August 2008. He became recruiting coordinator for both programs, coached novice rowers in the fall, and assisted across the boats during the spring season. Earlier, he was an assistant coach for the University of Southern California men's crew club from September 2005 to May 2008, working primarily with the varsity crews. That group earned a bronze medal in the men's varsity four at the 2006 Pac-10 Rowing Championships and finished third in the California Cup at the 2006 San Diego Crew Classic.
