I have a theory that perhaps when we see Richard now, it's in the present. Like Richard believes Locke is the only way to stop the freighters and was trying to coach Locke into knowing his destiny young, so he leaves the island at coordinates to bring him to those times in Lockes life. But after dumbass Locke failed to follow his true direction, which would have gotten him the island in High School, he wanted to be a hero, or cool, or whatever, and I believe Richard gave up on him.

Think about it, it's Abaddon who tells Lock of the walkabout, and after the locker incident, we hear nothing more of Richard and Mittelos, nothing, until Locke is what, 50? ... and crippled. AND, it's Abaddon, who also has Naomi bring along the scientists clearly on a seek and destroy mission. Is Abaddon helping Ben and the Others, or sabotaging them. I guess helping, knowing that perhaps Frank is the only one who could land a chopper, and figuring Naomi might crash with the mercanaries... But then Abaddon is asking Hurley about the island, like now he has no connection. Odd.