HAMILTON – Colgate athletics is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of legendary football coach Dick Biddle. He was 75.
"This was a tough day for everyone at Colgate Football," said Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach Stan Dakosty. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Biddle, Brendan and the entire Biddle family.
"Very few people can impact a football program, at any level, the way Coach did over his tenure here. He was unapologetic about his desire to win, and to win championships. He led with a sense of toughness and grit. He was Colgate Football personified. I don't think Coach ever truly appreciated the impact he had on his players or this program. Personally, I owe so much to him, and I know many others do as well."
Biddle coached the Raiders from 1996 to 2013, departing as the winningest football head coach in Colgate and Patriot League history. Throughout 18 seasons, he posted a mark of 137-73, including an 81-27 record in conference which gave him the highest win percentage (.750) of any Patriot League football head coach.
He led the Raiders to seven conference championships and as many trips to the NCAA playoffs. His team's historic title in 2003 preceded Colgate's run to the NCAA championship game — the only national championship appearance by a Patriot League program — when the team finished 15-1 overall and unblemished 7-0 in conference.
Biddle was a five-time Patriot League Coach of the Year and garnered National Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Raiders to the Division I-AA title game in 2003. In 2018, the Patriot League named its Coach of the Year award in Biddle's honor. He became the fifth former coach to be recognized with an award in their name.
The legendary coach was inducted into the Colgate athletics Hall of Honor in 2015 and six years later was listed on the ballot for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Hall of Fame. In November 2021, Colgate unveiled a three-part tribute at Andy Kerr Stadium, dedicating Biddle Way, Biddle Plaza, and the Dick Biddle video board.
Biddle made an immediate impact on the Raiders' program that had finished 0-11 one season prior to his ascension to the head coaching role. The Parkersburg, W.Va., native guided Colgate to a 6-5 record, tying for second-place in 1996, while claiming his first Patriot League Coach of the Year honor in his debut season.
He went on to win his first of seven championships the following season in 1997. Biddle garnered league coach of the year honors in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2012, winning the league title in each of those seasons.
Biddle made his first stop at Colgate in 1977 as a defensive line coach under the legendary Fred Dunlap. During his six-year stay, he helped the program to five winning seasons, including its first 10-win campaign, while being promoted to defensive coordinator for his last two seasons in Hamilton. Biddle coached linebackers at Virginia Tech for two seasons, before spending five seasons at Minnesota and two at Navy. He made his return to Colgate as an assistant coach in 1992, working for two different head coaches, before assuming the head coach position in 1996.
Biddle, a 1971 Duke University graduate, was a two-time All-ACC linebacker, while being named a co-captain and Third Team AP All-American during his senior season. He was later named to the Blue Devils' All-Century Team.
"There is no doubt his name and legacy will live on," Dakosty continued. "I take great solace knowing the fact that as long as we play football here at Colgate, his impact on the program will never be forgotten."
