45 Years of Service: Coach Richard Stuart

7/8/2026

Sujayla Collins | Contributing Writer

This article was first published in the Traditions Magazine - Summer 2026 edition.

In the early 80s, the school was transitioning from Little Havana to the current campus. Around that same time, Coach Richard Stuart, a recent FSU graduate, had been working alongside Carlos Barquín at the YMCA camp. In 1981, under the leadership of Fr. Figueredo, S.J., and Fr. Pérez-Llerena, S.J. ’44, Coach Stuart was hired as a PE teacher and assistant football and track coach. The first years were interesting because there was only one building surrounded by 30 acres of mud. Stuart vividly remembers a time when PE students would clear the field by picking up rocks and tossing them into a truck driven by Coach Barquín. To this day, visiting alumni who admire the state-of-the-art facilities laugh and joke about those hot days when the field had to be cleared one rock at a time.

In the 45 years that ensued, Coach Stuart filled many roles, including PE/Health teacher (42 years), Department Head (30 years), Head Football Coach (34 years), Varsity Track Coach (8 years), Sixth Grade/Middle School Baseball Coach (2 years) and Middle School Track Coach (2 years). In addition, he started and coached the golf program (3 years) that included a young Fr. Guillermo “Willie” García-Tuñón, S.J. ’87. Last but not least, Coach Stuart was also Assistant Director of Belen Summer Camp (9 years). In 2017, he accepted the position of Associate Athletic Director.

Although he has played many roles, his favorite has been coaching football. In 2015, Coach Stuart was recognized as the Coach with the Most Wins by Miami-Dade County. With 213 wins under his belt, Coach Stuart surpassed all others in the history of the county. He completed his career with 224 wins. The intensity of this award is clearly marked in the conference room of the Roberto Surís Athletic Center, named after him with an accompanying life-size mural of him on the day he broke the county record. He humbly credits the men he worked with, such as Eddie Delgado ’91, German Delgado ’90, Angel Aparicio, Augie Venegas ’85, and Ed Fraga, who were instrumental in the football program’s success.

“I was fortunate enough to have great, hard-working, dedicated players and outstanding and loyal assistant coaches. These gentlemen were my assistants for over 20 years and without them, we would not have racked up all the winning seasons and developed not only good football players, but great husbands, fathers, and Catholic men of faith,” said Stuart.

Another major accomplishment was the State run in 2009. The overwhelming excitement it brought to the school and the entire community was unforgettable. It included a caravan of 12 large buses filled with fans who traveled to Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The pride, energy, excitement, and unity of this moment have never been duplicated.

Although Coach Stuart is a pillar in the community, he still remembers those who helped him along the way. People such as Dave Hewett, who was the Athletics Director and Head Football Coach, was a great mentor to him. Of course, Carlos Barquín was instrumental in helping him as a young PE teacher and coach, and an amazing role model to this day.

In the past 45 years, with thousands of personal experiences on and off the field, Coach Stuart hopes to be remembered not so much for the wins, but for the relationships. He always believed football was much more than a sport. For him, it was about teaching young men discipline, accountability, faith, and doing things the right way.

“If I’m remembered as a coach who cared, who tried to lead with faith and integrity, and who helped young men become better men, that will be more than enough,” said Coach Stuart.