09/22/2026
A.J. Rickard was born September 21, 1940, in Elkhart, Indiana, and built a remarkable legacy through a lifetime dedicated to football, education, and coaching. A graduate of Jimtown High School in the Class of 1962, Rickard was a standout athlete, serving as the leading tackler in both 1957 and 1958. He continued his playing career at Manchester College, where he played football and competed in track and field, earning varsity letters all four years. He was also recognized as a Little All-American Small School Honorable Mention. Rickard later earned a master’s degree from Ball State University.
Rickard began his coaching career as an assistant at North Liberty in 1962 before becoming head coach at Klondike from 1964-1969. In 1970, he took over as head coach at Harrison High School in West Lafayette, beginning a tenure that would span nearly three decades. From 1970 through 1998, Rickard guided Harrison to a remarkable 251-84-2 career record, establishing himself as one of Indiana high school football’s accomplished coaches.
Under Rickard’s leadership, Harrison captured Hoosier Conference, sectional, and regional championships on several occasions, along with a Class 4A State Championship. His accomplishments earned recognition throughout Indiana, including being named Hoosier Conference Coach of the Year eight times, the 1993 Herald-Times Bloomington Coach of the Year, and the 1995 National Federation Interscholastic Coaches Association Indiana Football Coach of the Year for Class 4A. He also served as an assistant coach for the 1981 North All-Star Team and was named Manchester Alumni Coach of the Year in 1992.
Rickard’s impact could also be seen in the players he coached, including Mike Moreland at Purdue, Dan Grenat at Miami of Florida, Paul Romanowski at Butler, and John O’Leary at Purdue. His influence reached far beyond wins and championships, leaving a lasting mark on the athletes who played for him.
Rickard retired from coaching in 2000, closing a distinguished career that had spanned nearly four decades. His accomplishments and service to Indiana high school football were recognized with his induction into the Indiana Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on June 14, 1996, in West Lafayette as a member of IFCA Region 4. Alongside his wife, Kay, and their children, Scott, Lorrae, and Lennae, A.J. Rickard’s legacy remains one defined by dedication, achievement, and an enduring commitment to the game of football.
