Thousand Oaks Principal: Richards Now an Assistant : Football: School says former head coach asked for reassignment to spend more time with his family.

Thousand Oaks High football Coach Bob Richards has been reassigned to an assistant coaching position, at his request, according to a release issued by Principal Keith Wilson.

Richards made the request in order to spend more time with his family, the release stated. He will remain a math teacher at Thousand Oaks.

Wilson, through a school spokesperson, said he had no further comment. Athletic Director Jim O’Brien and Richards have not returned phone calls since Friday.

The Times reported Saturday that Richards would not return as head coach, and it was unclear then whether he had stepped down or been fired.

Richards has been a member of the school’s coaching staff for 28 years, the past 12 as head coach. He led the Lancers to six Marmonte League titles and a Southern Section title.

But after nine consecutive playoff appearances, Thousand Oaks missed the playoffs each of the past three years and had a combined record of 10-18-2 during that time.

Besides a change in on-field fortunes the last three years, Richards has been criticized by players for inflexibility and lack of creativity as a coach. There also have been reports of philosophical differences between Richards and administrators.