James Ricky Coward

James Ricky Coward

Coach Rick in 2012
Personal information
Nickname(s) Coach Rick, The Mittologist
Born (1966-04-29) April 29, 1966
Camden, New Jersey
Occupation Professional Trainer / Padman
Spouse(s) Jessica Coward
Sport
Sport Boxing

Coach James Ricky Coward (born April 29, 1966)[1] is an American former amateur boxer and current professional boxing trainer. Coward, who goes by the nickname Coach Rick, has conducted padwork with and worked with a number professional boxers as well as professional MMA fighters: Most notably Bob Sapp, Anthony Young,[2] Bernard Hopkins, Amir Khan, Raymond Serrano,[3] Derrick Webster,[4] Ty Brunson,[5] Max Alexander,[6] and 12-time US National Female Amateur Boxing Champion,Sacred Downing. On Season 12 episode 31 of MTV's MADE Coach Rick was hired in 2012 by Clear Channel for their network Emmy Award-winning Reality TV show [7] Derek Frazier is the youngest son of Smokin' Joe Frazier. In 2013 Coach Rick was hired as a padman / assistant trainer for Amir Khan and in the same year did a 5-week internship with Khan's head trainer, 2012 BWAA Trainer of the Year, Virgil Hunter. During that time Coach Rick under the guidance of Hunter, covered sparring sessions and worked pads with various fighters in Hunter's stable and most notably was given the opportunity to conduct a padwork session with undefeated super middleweight champion and 2004 Olympic Gold medalist, Andre Ward.

In 2015 India's Olympic Gold Quest sent two of their National Team Boxers Shiva Thapa (AIBA #3 Ranked Bantamweight) and Sumit Sangwan (AIBA #10 Ranked Light Heavyweight) who are also both 2012 Olympians to train with Coach Rick in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Qualifiers.

Early life

Coach Rick was born in Camden, New Jersey, and moved to Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, by the age of 14 with his parents. He began learning the art of boxing at the age of 14 from his father George J. Coward (amateur boxer in the US Army) and with his uncle Tyrone Walden. His amateur boxing accomplishments included the 1984 South Jersey Golden Gloves and 24 years later becoming New Jersey State Heavyweight Champion in the Masters Division. He began training amateur boxers part-time voluntarily at age 20 but did not pursue a professional career in boxing as he married young at the age of 19 and raised 3 sons.

Career

In 1988, Coach Rick began his career in Security / Executive Protection and Law enforcement for Camden and Gloucester County, New Jersey. After 2 years in the Private Sector, Coach Rick worked 8 years as a uniform police officer and then went on to become an Investigator for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.[8] His duty assignments included a number of high-profile units and federal agencies, including Task Force / Tactical Officer for the United States Marshal Service,[9] Undercover Investigator for the H.I.D.T.A. Narcotics Unit and Gang Suppression Unit, and a 9-year Tactical Team Operator / Sniper for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office (H.R.E.T.) High Risk Entry Team. Deemed an Expert Witness by the State of New Jersey in the field of Narcotic's Distribution Operations as well as an Expert in Tactical Operations, Coach Rick wrote and designed the Tactical High Risk Entry, Felony Vehicle Assault & Officer Rescue Model Program for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice[10] State Wide Narcotics Task Force. His training and practical experience which spanned close to two decades include: FBI Sniper School (Qualified Expert Marksmen), Expert Weapons & Tactics, US Homeland Security Level ll Anti & Counter Terrorist Training, US Secret Service Dignitary Protection, US Marshal Service Fugitive Investigations / SOG Training, Obtained a Secret Security Clearance issued by United States Department of Justice,[11] 6yrs Sworn Special Deputy US Marshal, as well as specialized tactical training with the NYPD Emergency Services Unit, US Army /Department of Defense Urban Tactical Training which included training from former Delta Force and Seal Team 6 Operators, US Customs Maritime Tactical Operations, Toronto Police Department and Canadian Royal Mounted Police Covert Surveillance operations along with numerous other specialized investigative and tactical training courses and covert operations. To date he is still called upon in the private sector to consult on matters pertaining to police operations and procedures, counterterrorism, tactical and VIP protection operations. Recipient of the United States Marshal Service's Highest Awards, The Director's Honorary Service Award while serving as a task force agent & team leader as well being Awarded The US Marshal Service - Fastest Draw & Shoot Champion, that National Record still stands to date.

Mittology

In 2008, after retiring from a decorated Law enforcement career, Coach Rick participated and won the 2008 Guns 'n' Hoses New Jersey State amateur boxing tournament "Masters Open Class Division". He also trained his younger brother, George Coward Jr. who participated in and won the 2008 Guns 'n' Hoses New Jersey State "Light Heavyweight Open Class" Championship. During that same year Coach Rick started training amateur boxer Jessica Maldonado (119 lb Open) who went on to win the 2008 & 2009 Philadelphia Golden Gloves Championship, as well as the 2009 Eastern Regional and PA State Championship. He then went on to become a full-time boxing trainer.[12] He trained many top level national amateur boxers and has continued his success with professional boxers.[13] Coach Rick had the privilege training and working briefly with famed world class boxing trainer, the late Oscar Suarez, trainer of three time Featherweight World Champion Prince Naseem Hamed. Other influences to his training style include Roger Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather Sr. Coach Rick is a well respected highly sought after trainer and padman, due in part to his teaching style and unique ability to adapt, break down, systemize and apply the padwork techniques developed by boxing and training legend, Roger Mayweather. Coach Rick never trained with Mayweather personally and is very open about how he learned Roger Mayweather's unique padwork style by watching him teach it on an old "John Brown" training video called "Mastering the Mitts". In 2009 Coach Rick developed the Mittology Training System, a combination of certain aspects of the Roger Mayweather pad work style and his own style of technical pad work. Coach Rick continues to provide both virtual and hands on technical training & consultation for various athletic clients, gyms and fighters from various locations in the US and around the world. He has also been requested to do seminars on the "Mittology Training System" for various gyms and institutions, including being invited on two occasions (2009 and 2013) to do a "Mittology Training" seminar for the athletic staff at the prestigious, Stanford University in Northern California.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2008 White Chip Nico Short
2009 Sundarakanda Bodyguard/Assassin TV Series (6 Episodes)
2012 MTV's MADE Himself TV Series (Season 12 Episode 31)

Personal life

Coach Rick is Owner and founder of Mittology Training along with his wife, 2 time Philadelphia Golden Gloves champion Jessica Maldonado.

Awards

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Sniper / Expert Marksman Doctorate in Business Administration / Criminal Justice[14]

United States Marshal Service - Distinguished Service / Group Award

United States Marshal Service - Draw & Shoot Champion - (2005 Record Standing .059 Sec)

Meritorious Service and Wound Medal - Gloucester County Police Chiefs Association

Montclair List Of Who's Who Among Professionals and Executives - Honored LifeTime Member[15]

Businessman of The Year - 2006[16]

References

  1. ↑ Biography. WBAN Resource Team. Undated.
  2. ↑ Anthony Young Professional Boxing Record
  3. ↑ Raymond Serrano Professional Boxing Record
  4. ↑ Derrick Webster Professional Boxing Record
  5. ↑ Tyrone Brunson Professional Boxing Record
  6. ↑ Max Alexander Professional Boxing Record
  7. ↑ MTV'S MADE. Coach Rick trained Derek Frazier to made into a boxer for the Episode. MTV's MADE Season 12 Episode 31.
  8. ↑ Camden County Prosecutor's Office .(1998–2008).
  9. ↑ United States Marshals - N.J. United States Marshals - P.A.
  10. ↑ Division of Criminal Justice.
  11. ↑ Department of Justice (2001–2006).
  12. ↑ Boley, George (2012-06-20). Undisputed Fight Magazine Cover page. June Issue pp 17–20.
  13. ↑ Dawson, Alan (2013-10-01). Exclusive: Amir will be world champ again at 147
  14. ↑ Alumni 2012. Canterbury-Alumni-2012
  15. ↑ Montclair WHO's WHO List of Who's Who.
  16. ↑ Republican National Committee

External links

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