WAHPETON (AP) - John Richman attended the North Dakota State College of Science as a student some 30 years ago, then became its head football coach and vice president. On Tuesday, he was named president of the two-year school.

Richman has been the college's interim president since September, when he succeeded Sharon Hart, who resigned under pressure. Hart is now director of North Dakota's College Technical Education Council.

"Back in September, it really became apparent that a change in leadership was needed," Richman said. "But I was proud to report to the board that the campus remained very focused and didn't allow the turmoil to enter into it."

The Board of Higher Education voted Tuesday to hire Richman as the college's ninth president. He begins the job July 1. He will be paid $134,000 annually, and receive an $11,000 annual vehicle allowance, a university system statement said.

"It was clear to us during the interview process John understands the challenges and opportunities facing the college," said John Q. Paulsen, the Board of Higher Education's president.

Richman was a student in the early 1970s at Science, which offers technical and trade instruction as well as liberal arts classes. It had a spring enrollment this year of about 2,000 students.

Richman took part in track and football when he was a student. He became Science's head football coach in 1986 and later was the athletic director for four years. He has been the school's vice president for academic affairs since 2002.

Richman said his experience as vice president and interim president helped him understand the "complexity and dynamics" of the college.