MRH Appoints New Athletic Director and HS Football Coach

football didn't go with out a coach for long.

Two-year, but highly successfull head coach, Brandon Gregory, on May 4 to coach at Francis Howell North. MHR also needed an athletic director. Malcolm Hill, MRH AD since last July, at University City High School.

Rich Nixon, a coach who won two state championships at Hazelwood Central has been hired as the MRH head football coach and athletic director. He'll also be the middle school physical education teacher. He's currently at Hazelwood Central High School, and will begin his duties at MRH on July 1, 2012.

“We are thrilled to have been able to bring Rich to MRH,” said Superintendent Linda Henke. “He will be a stellar addition to our teaching staff, an amazing coach, and great leader for our sports program.”

Since 2005 Nixon has served as a physical education instructor at Hazelwood Central High School.  While there he also served as its head football coach (2007-2010) and its assistant football coach (2005-2006). The Hazelwood Central football program is the second largest program in the state of Missouri and won the Missouri Class 6 State Championship in 2008 and 2009 under Nixon.

“I am so happy to have the opportunity to join the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District,” said Nixon. “Its truly an honor to work for a district so committed its students, families, and community.”

Prior to Hazelwood Central High School, Nixon served as assistant head football coach and social studies instructor at Riverview Gardens High School (2004-2005) and Poplar Bluff High School (2002-2004). Additionally he was the assistant football coach at Central Missouri State University from 2000-2002.

Among Coach Nixon’s many awards and honors:

• Hazelwood Central High School Class 6 State Football Champions (2008, 2009)
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch Missouri Coach of the Year (2008)
• Missouri State Coaches Association Coach of the Year (2008, 2009)
• St. Louis Rams/U.S. Army Missouri Coach of the Year (2008)
• St. Louis Metro Coaches Association Coach of the Year (2008)
• Missouri State Associated Press Coach of the Year (2008, 2009)
• National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Coach of the Year (2009)
• Missouri Athletic Club Coach of the Year (2010)

Nixon holds a B.S. in education with a major in social studies and minors in secondary education and physical education from Central Methodist University. Additionally,he holds a Masters degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.

“MRH has an outstanding record of academic excellence and a growing sports program with unlimited opportunities,” said Nixon. “I look forward to being a part of the MRH family.”