There are certain people who embody the pride of William Fleming High School to the fullest. Of that demographic, few continue to bleed Colonel blue and gold more than Richard Wilson.
Longtime school supporters remember Wilson, a 1997 graduate, during his playing days as an undersized, yet gritty point guard who got the best out of his abilities.
After high school, Wilson went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Virginia State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Sports Management from Randolph College.
Nearly a quarter-century ago, Wilson’s coaching career began at his alma mater. For the last eight seasons, he served as the Lady Colonels’ head basketball coach.
Leading a high school basketball program to success year after year is no easy task, especially when your district consists of Patrick Henry, Franklin County and Staunton River, among other competitive high schools.
Under Wilson, Fleming went 188-34, equating to an 84.6 winning percentage. After reaching the state tournament multiple times, Fleming finished as the Class 5 runner-up last year.
In 2024, Wilson was named the Blue Ridge District Coach of the Year.
More than just a coach, Wilson served as a father figure to countless student-athletes over the years. Future Liberty University Flame Amari Worsham, who played under Wilson for four years, became the program’s all-time leading scorer.
In a move that surprised some, Wilson recently announced his retirement.
“After 24 years of coaching at Fleming, I have made the difficult decision to retire from coaching basketball. Over the course of my career, the relationships built, the lessons learned and the memories will stay with me forever,” Wilson said in a statement.
He continued, “While this decision is not easy, it is time for me to step aside and allow the next generation of leaders and coaches the opportunity to continue growing and building the program. I am excited to watch the future of Fleming athletics and cheer on its continued success.”
For his achievements during his playing days and impact on the school’s athletic tradition, Wilson was a member of the 2023 William Fleming Athletic Hall of Fame Class.
“I want to sincerely thank my assistant coaches, community, families, administrators, faculty and staff for their unwavering support throughout my journey,” he said. “Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, sons and family for their love, patience and support.”
While Wilson’s head coaching career has come to an end, he will continue to work as an assistant athletic director and student support specialist at Fleming.
