Richard Bell

Richard Murry Bell (September 2, 1937 – December 13, 2025) was an American college football coach and end. He served as head football coach at the University of South Carolina for a single season in 1982. While playing at the University of Arkansas, Bell played for head coaches Jack Mitchell in his last two seasons as head coach, and Frank Broyles in his first two seasons. He went on to coach for various high schools and colleges and work for several Hall of Fame coaches.

Early life and education Richard Murry Bell was born in Camden, Arkansas, on September 2, 1937, to Alton and Maureen Bell. He played football at Little Rock Central High School where he was a two-year letterman and made the second All-State team. He was also named the team's most valuable player.

Bell played as an offensive lineman for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, at both the guard and end positions. while Bell served as a graduate assistant and as a team captain. He then moved up to the college level in 1962 to coach at Virginia Military Institute. On January 9, 1982, Bell was formally introduced as the 27th head coach in the history of the South Carolina program. Bell had previously served for seven seasons as the Gamecocks defensive coordinator under previous head coach Jim Carlen. After a single season, Bell was fired by athletic director Bob Marcum on December 1, 1982.

From South Carolina, Bell served as a defensive coach at several other schools. These schools included Duke, East Carolina, Georgia, Navy and Air Force. After four years in retirement, Bell reentered the coaching world to serve as the defensive coordinator at Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia in 2010.

Personal life and death Bell was married to Marilyn, and had four children.

Head coaching record College