Head football coach resigns after two seasons
Andrew King
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
After two years at the helm, Jim Bickel has resigned as head football coach, effective immediately.
Bickel began his tenure as head coach in 2008, after three years as the team's defensive coordinator. During those three years, the Crusaders made the NCAA tournament in all three seasons.
Bickel was a major part of the most successful decade in Capital football history, where the program saw 72 wins in 107 attempts.
Achievements boasted by Bickel's years at Capital include a national defensive player of the year, seven All-Americans, and school records in interceptions and sacks.
Bickel will take over as the defensive coordinator for Ohio Dominican University, the same position he once held at Capital.
"Jim is a good coach with a strong work ethic," Athletic Director Dawn Stewart said in a press release Tuesday. "We appreciate his service to Capital as he has been an integral part of the success of this football program. We wish Jim well in his new role at Ohio Dominican."
At first glance, it would appear to be a step down for the coach, but the ODU program is in transition to be a Division II school. Moving into a Division II environment would give Bickel several advantages, including the ability to give athletic scholarships to players.
"I am very grateful to all of the men who have played for the Crusaders and I am proud of what has been accomplished by the efforts of our players, coaches, alumni, faculty and staff throughout the years," Bickel said in a press release Tuesday. "I am appreciative of the opportunities afforded to me by Capital and will be thankful for the fond memories and friendships that I have built over the past nine years."
Stewart also announced that the school has begun a nation-wide search for their new head coach, effective immediately.
By Andrew King
Editorial staff
aking@capital.edu
Bickel began his tenure as head coach in 2008, after three years as the team's defensive coordinator. During those three years, the Crusaders made the NCAA tournament in all three seasons.
Bickel was a major part of the most successful decade in Capital football history, where the program saw 72 wins in 107 attempts.
Achievements boasted by Bickel's years at Capital include a national defensive player of the year, seven All-Americans, and school records in interceptions and sacks.
Bickel will take over as the defensive coordinator for Ohio Dominican University, the same position he once held at Capital.
"Jim is a good coach with a strong work ethic," Athletic Director Dawn Stewart said in a press release Tuesday. "We appreciate his service to Capital as he has been an integral part of the success of this football program. We wish Jim well in his new role at Ohio Dominican."
At first glance, it would appear to be a step down for the coach, but the ODU program is in transition to be a Division II school. Moving into a Division II environment would give Bickel several advantages, including the ability to give athletic scholarships to players.
"I am very grateful to all of the men who have played for the Crusaders and I am proud of what has been accomplished by the efforts of our players, coaches, alumni, faculty and staff throughout the years," Bickel said in a press release Tuesday. "I am appreciative of the opportunities afforded to me by Capital and will be thankful for the fond memories and friendships that I have built over the past nine years."
Stewart also announced that the school has begun a nation-wide search for their new head coach, effective immediately.
By Andrew King
Editorial staff
aking@capital.edu
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