The Richland (WA) Bombers boys basketball program has officially named its next head coach, and the future is looking bright—and young. According to a press release from the school, Will Burghardt has been selected as the 30th head coach in program history, but remarkably, just the seventh since 1947. At just 27 years old, Burghardt becomes the youngest head coach ever to lead the Bombers, a program that just wrapped up a historic season.

Richland enters the 2025-26 season as the No. 1 ranked team in Washington, coming off a flawless 28-0 record and a Class 4A state championship victory over Gonzaga Prep (63-49). That title capped off an incredible fourth consecutive 20-win season, cementing the Bombers’ dominance on the hardwood. According to the final Washington High School Boys Basketball Massey Rankings, Richland finished the year at the very top.

Burghardt steps into this prestigious role after three successful seasons as head coach at Newport (OR) High School, where he posted a 49-24 overall record. In his final season with the Cubs, he led the team to a 19-5 mark and a deep playoff run in the OHSAA. His ability to build winning programs at a young age makes him a perfect fit for a Bombers squad that expects nothing less than excellence.

Richland High School, located in the heart of Washington's Tri-Cities, has a storied tradition in athletics and academics. Known for its spirited student body and strong community support, the Bombers have long been a powerhouse in the state. With Burghardt at the helm, the team is poised to continue its winning ways and build on a legacy that’s already among the best in Washington high school basketball.