Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey department of athletics announced it has named Wayne Dickens interim head coach of the Lions' football program.
Dickens arrives from Kentucky State University where he was the head football coach from the fall of 2009 through 2012.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead a program with the storied history that TCNJ football has built," said Dickens. "Football has always been fun for me and anyone who has been in the game for a long time loves the game. I don't anticipate it will be easy, but I am excited to get started and catch up so we are prepared for camp in two weeks."
Dickens brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level to TCNJ and nearly 40 years overall. His understanding of the game is comprehensive as he has served as an offensive and defensive coordinator along with working as special teams coordinator.
"Coach Dickens emerged from a robust pool of highly qualified applicants," noted John Castaldo, director of athletics and recreation. "He brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in all facets of the game. We look forward to him joining our department as the interim head football coach."
The veteran coach has enjoyed stints at the Division I and Division II levels as well as working with the Canadian Football League (CFL). Dickens broke into the collegiate ranks at the University of Washington as a defensive line and linebackers coach. He coached special teams and linebackers at the University of San Diego before moving into the role of wide receiver's coach. Dickens was named offensive coordinator at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. before assuming the same role at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va.
After spending the 2008 season as wide receiver's coach at Kentucky State, Dickens was named interim head coach of the Thorobreds in 2009. As head coach at KSU, he also served as the team's offensive and special team's coordinator during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. Dickens shifted to defensive coordinator in 2012. He enjoyed a pair of winning seasons as head coach and an overall record of 17-25.
TCNJ is coming off a 4-6 record in 2012. The Lions earned eight all-New Jersey Athletic Conference honors last season. Three of those players return for their senior season, including All-NJAC First Team linebacker Nick Bricker (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South). Matthew Chierici (Towaco, NJ/Montville), who also started as a defensive back, was named All-NJAC Second Team special teams, while Patrick Kimball (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) earned All-NJAC Second Team honors as a defensive lineman.
In the professional ranks, Dickens was a receiver's coach and special teams assistant for the B.C. Lions Football Club in 2002. He also served as a regional scout for the Hamilton Tiger Cats Football Club of the CFL. Dickens was an offensive intern with the Chicago Bears during the summers of 1996 and 1997. He graduated from Rutgers College in 1973 with a bachelor of arts degree in English. Dickens also completed some graduate coursework at Rutgers and the University of Washington in the field of educational psychology and industrial education.
In addition to Dickens, Rocky Hager has been hired as a full-time assistant coach. He recently coached at Bryant University and served as defensive line coach. The remainder of the Lions' coaching staff will be announced by Dickens shortly.
TCNJ hired Dickens to replace retired head coach Eric Hamilton. Hamilton was in charge of the Lions program since 1977.
