West Texas A&M is expected to announce the promotion of Justin Richter to defensive coordinator, multiple sources have confirmed to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Richter spent the last two seasons as co-special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Buffs under head coach Josh Lynn.

Before joining the Buffs before the 2022 season, Richter spent six seasons at Missouri Western, including the final five as defensive coordinator. The Griffon defense had a tremendous season in 2021, holding opponents to 11 rushing touchdowns while forcing 13 interceptions and eight fumbles.

Richter is in his second stint in Canyon after spending the 2015 season coaching wide receivers and tight ends. His collegiate coaching career began as a wide receivers coach and video coordinator at New Mexico Military Institute before serving as a defensive graduate assistant at Angelo State from 2011-2012.

Before joining the Buffs in 2015, Richter spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at New Mexico. He returned to the FBS level as a defensive graduate assistant working with defensive backs at the University of California-Berkeley in 2016 before joining Missouri Western in 2017.

Richter is replacing Levi Gallas, who spent the last two seasons as WT's defensive coordinator before being named head coach at Adams State. The Buffs have finished below .500 for three consecutive seasons, including an 8-13 record in Lynn’s first two years.