Darby Rich returned to Aggieland to join Bucky McMillan's staff in the spring of 2025 as strength & conditioning coach.
Rich previously served as the Aggie basketball team's strength and conditioning coach for eight seasons from 2011-19 under then-head coach Billy Kennedy. Rich has 22 years of sports performance coaching experience and 28 overall years of service in collegiate athletics. During his coaching career, he has helped lead 11 teams to the NCAA Tournament and developed 24 NBA players.
Most recently, Rich served in a similar role for the University of Texas men's basketball program, helping the Longhorns to a 19-16 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Additionally, Rich's coaching history includes collegiate stops at Memphis (2019-21, 2023-24), Texas Tech (2021-23), Sam Houston State (1998-2001, 2009-10), Oklahoma (2004-09) and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and an internship at the professional level under the tutelage of legendary strength coach Joe Jurazsek with the Dallas Cowboys (2001-02).
During his previous stint at Texas A&M, Rich helped develop six NBA players including Robert Williams, Khris Middleton, Danuel House, Alex Caruso, Tyler Davis and Jalen Jones and nine all-conference individuals. The Aggies tallied a total of 151 victories (18.9 per season) during Rich's eight seasons in College Station, won the 2016 Southeastern Conference regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 16 in both 2016 and 2018.
As an undergraduate, Rich played five seasons (1987-92) on the basketball team at the University of Alabama. He helped the Crimson Tide make four NCAA Tournament appearances (1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992), including back-to-back Sweet 16 trips in 1990 and 1991. Rich served as a team tri-captain during his senior year in 1991-92 and was collegiate teammates with future NBA stars Robert Horry (1988-92) and Latrell Sprewell (1990-92).
A native of Greer, S.C., Rich is a 1992 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in criminal justice. He was an all-state basketball player at Riverside High School. Rich and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Case and Cannon.
Rich's Coaching Experience
NBA Players Developed under Darby Rich
Rich previously served as the Aggie basketball team's strength and conditioning coach for eight seasons from 2011-19 under then-head coach Billy Kennedy. Rich has 22 years of sports performance coaching experience and 28 overall years of service in collegiate athletics. During his coaching career, he has helped lead 11 teams to the NCAA Tournament and developed 24 NBA players.
Most recently, Rich served in a similar role for the University of Texas men's basketball program, helping the Longhorns to a 19-16 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Additionally, Rich's coaching history includes collegiate stops at Memphis (2019-21, 2023-24), Texas Tech (2021-23), Sam Houston State (1998-2001, 2009-10), Oklahoma (2004-09) and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and an internship at the professional level under the tutelage of legendary strength coach Joe Jurazsek with the Dallas Cowboys (2001-02).
During his previous stint at Texas A&M, Rich helped develop six NBA players including Robert Williams, Khris Middleton, Danuel House, Alex Caruso, Tyler Davis and Jalen Jones and nine all-conference individuals. The Aggies tallied a total of 151 victories (18.9 per season) during Rich's eight seasons in College Station, won the 2016 Southeastern Conference regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 16 in both 2016 and 2018.
As an undergraduate, Rich played five seasons (1987-92) on the basketball team at the University of Alabama. He helped the Crimson Tide make four NCAA Tournament appearances (1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992), including back-to-back Sweet 16 trips in 1990 and 1991. Rich served as a team tri-captain during his senior year in 1991-92 and was collegiate teammates with future NBA stars Robert Horry (1988-92) and Latrell Sprewell (1990-92).
A native of Greer, S.C., Rich is a 1992 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in criminal justice. He was an all-state basketball player at Riverside High School. Rich and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Case and Cannon.
Rich's Coaching Experience
| Years | Organization | Position/Title |
| 2024-25 | Texas | Strength and Conditioning, Athletic Performance |
| 2023-24 | Memphis | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2021-23 | Texas Tech | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2019-21 | Memphis | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2011-19 | Texas A&M | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2009-10 | Sam Houston State | Volunteer Assistant Coach |
| 2004-09 | Oklahoma | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2002-04 | South Carolina | Men's / Women's Basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| 2001-2002 | Dallas Cowboys | Strength and Conditioning Intern |
| 1998-2001 | Sam Houston State | Assistant Coach |
| 1993-97 | Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College | Assistant Coach |
NBA Players Developed under Darby Rich
| Player | School |
| Tre Johnson | Texas |
| Jayson Kent | Texas |
| Moussa Cisse | Memphis |
| David Jones Garcia | Memphis |
| Precious Achiuwa | Memphis |
| Damion Baugh | Memphis |
| Lester Quinones | Memphis |
| Nae'Qwan Tomlin | Memphis |
| James Wiseman | Memphis |
| Kevin McCullar Jr. | Texas Tech |
| Terrence Shannon Jr. | Texas Tech |
| Jaylon Tyson | Texas Tech |
| Alex Caruso | Texas A&M |
| Tyler Davis | Texas A&M |
| Danuel House | Texas A&M |
| Jalen Jones | Texas A&M |
| Khris Middleton | Texas A&M |
| Robert Williams | Texas A&M |
| Blake Griffin | Oklahoma |
| Taylor Griffin | Oklahoma |
| Willie Warren | Oklahoma |
| Renaldo Balkman | South Carolina |
| Tarence Kinsey | South Carolina |
| Ben Davis | Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College |