With the approval of the school board, they will officially start their positions next week to begin preparing for the opening of Frenship Memorial High School in August.

Richards is joining the Frenship family with 22 years of extensive coaching and teaching experience. For the last five years, he has served as the Muleshoe ISD athletic director and head football coach, helping to lead the Mules from a 1-19 football record for the 2018 and 2019 seasons to four consecutive playoff appearances. Over the past two decades he has coached for several program ranging from 3A to 6A including Flour Bluff, San Angelo Central, and A&M Consolidated.

“I was raised in Clovis, NM and have always admired Frenship ISD not only from an athletic standpoint but also for their high academic standards. It has always been a dream of mine to start an athletic program, and I can't think of a better place then Frenship ISD to bring that dream to a reality,” said Richards. “Athletics is just an avenue to teach young men and women how to be successful, productive adults. I want to build young men and women of character that will be leaders in the community and in life.”

Lessing is well known across Frenship and has served as the Frenship High School assistant band director since 2022. With 16 years of experience in music education, she has an impressive track record marked by student success. Since she began teaching, her high school band programs have earned Superior Marching Band ratings for all 16 years. Lessing also is a four-year All-State member. Her knowledge of Frenship and the music industry makes her the perfect fit to start the Frenship Memorial High School band program.

“What excites me most about this next year is continuing to work with these amazing students. I have been so lucky to be part of the Frenship Tiger Band family these past three years. I am honored to continue the adventure as our students pave the way as members of the Panther Band,” said Lessing.

This week, both Richards and Lessing will visit Frenship campuses to meet middle school and ninth grade students who will be attending Frenship Memorial High School. During that time, they’ll get to meet the future Panthers and help answer student questions about the new school.