Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Richard Brinsley Sheridan III, 81 of Garden City Beach, South Carolina passed away on July 6, 2023. Dick was born August 9, 1941, in Augusta, Georgia to William Gerald Sheridan, Sr. and Miriam Henderson Dinkins Sheridan. Dick was named for his father’s beloved brother R.B. “Dick” Sheridan, Jr., a West Point cadet football player who died from injuries at the 1931 Army Yale game. Dick is survived by his two sons Robert “Bobby” Gerald Sheridan (Lauren), North Augusta and Jonathan “Jon” Lewis Sheridan; five adored grandchildren, Isabella, Jacob, Alex, Will, and Ben; the mother of his children, Brenda Johnson Sheridan; sister and brother Claire S. Walters (Ray), Augusta and William G. Sheridan, Jr., Melbourne, Fl, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters and brothers-in-law Martha S. and Thomas H. Tolbert and Katherine S. and Charles M. Mulherin, Jr. He grew up in North Augusta, South Carolina with cherished lifelong friends, enjoyed playing sports and attending First Baptist Church of North Augusta. Dick graduated from North Augusta High School in 1959 and the University of South Carolina where he earned both a B.S. and a M.Ed and where he developed many lifelong friendships. After college Dick began his coaching career at Eau Claire High School under the tutelage of Coach Art Baker and then on to Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School as head football coach winning the South Carolina state title in 1971. Next, he coached at Airport High School before joining the staff at Furman as an assistant under his mentor, Art Baker, and becoming head coach in 1978. He is a member of the Furman Athletic, South Carolina Athletic, and South Carolina Football Athletic halls of fame. As head coach at Furman from 1978-85, Dick had a 74.4 winning percentage that remains the best in school history. His final year at Furman, the team won a then-school record 12 games and narrowly lost the FCS National Championship. His teams earned six Southern Conference titles in eight years and he coached eight First Team All-Americans, 75 all-conference players and five Southern Conference Players of the Year. While at Furman, he served as Furman’s Athletic Director from 1983-85, earned three Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors, AFCA FCS National and Region II Coach of the Year and multiple South Carolina Coach of the Year accolades. During his tenure as head coach at North Carolina State from 1986-92, he and his staff guided the team to a winning record in all but one season and took his team to 6 bowl games and coached four All-Americans and 31 all-conference players. He would be named the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, and the ACC Coach of the Year. At both Furman and North Carolina State, he was extremely proud of the percentage of his players to graduate. After retirement, Coach Sheridan stayed in contact with coaches and players. He continued to support and be a mentor to coaches as they pursued other opportunities and players as they began their careers. Coach was always humble about the awards and accolades he received and never expected after retirement to be inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in 2020, an award given to few coaches over the years. Many of his players traveled to Las Vegas to watch Coach accept this prestigious award. The family appreciates the many friends, associates, players and coaches for their caring support and visits during the last few years. After a private family service, a visitation will be held Sunday afternoon from 3:00 until 5:00 PM at Posey Funeral Directors, 1307 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 15 at 11 o’clock at Lions Field, North Augusta, SC. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your local high school athletic department or recreation department in memory of Coach Sheridan.

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Richard Brinsley Sheridan

August 9, 1941 - July 6, 2023