Richard L. Biddle (November 26, 1947 – August 11, 2023) was an American football player and coach. He served as head football coach at Colgate University from 1996 through 2013, compiling a record of 137–73. This ranks him first at Colgate in terms of total wins and he has achieved the best winning percentage of any Colgate coach with seven or more years at the helm of the Raiders.

Dick Biddle
Biographical details
Born(1947-11-26)November 26, 1947
Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedAugust 11, 2023(2023-08-11) (aged 75)
Cary, North Carolina, U.S.
Alma materDuke University
Playing career
1967–1970Duke
1972Youngstown Hardhats
Position(s)Linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971West Virginia (graduate assistant)
1973–1976Allegheny (assistant)
1977–1982Colgate (assistant)
1983–1984Virginia Tech (assistant)
1985–1989Minnesota (assistant)
1990–1991Navy (assistant)
1992–1995Colgate (assistant)
1996–2013Colgate
Head coaching record
Overall137–73
Tournaments3–7 (NCAA D-I-AA/FCS playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
7 Patriot League (1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012)
Awards

Playing career

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Biddle was an all-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker for two seasons at Duke. The former Blue Devil co-captain received third team Associated Press All-America honors in his senior year and was a participant in the Blue-Gray and Hula Bowl games. Biddle was a three-time winner of Duke's Hatchet Award, given to the most valuable player on defense. In his senior year he also received the Blue Devil Club Award as the senior who contributed the most to the team. He is a member of the All-Century Team at Duke.[1]

After going undrafted in the 1971 NFL draft, Biddle signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on May 3, 1971.[2][3] He was released before the start of the regular season on June 23, 1971.[4] Biddle signed with the Youngstown Hardhats of the Midwest Football League in 1972.[5] He broke his leg in the eleventh game of the season, and missed the rest of the year.[6]

Coaching career

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Biddle worked as a graduate assistant for West Virginia in 1971 after his release from the Alouettes.[7]

Biddle is the first Colgate coach to ever record nine straight seasons with seven or more victories. In 2012, he led the Raiders to the Patriot League title and the NCAA FCS Playoffs (first round loss to Wagner).[8] Overall, he led Colgate to seven Patriot League Championships (1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2012).

Biddle retired after the 2013 season and was succeeded by Dan Hunt.[9]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs TSN# Coaches°
Colgate Red Raiders / Raiders (Patriot League) (1996–2013)
1996 Colgate 6–5 3–2 T–2nd
1997 Colgate 7–5 6–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 25 21
1998 Colgate 8–4 5–1 2nd L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 21
1999 Colgate 10–2 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 18 18
2000 Colgate 7–4 4–2 T–2nd
2001 Colgate 7–3 5–1 2nd
2002 Colgate 9–3 6–1 T–1st 25 25
2003 Colgate 15–1 7–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA Championship 2 2
2004 Colgate 7–4 4–2 T–3rd
2005 Colgate 8–4 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 23 22
2006 Colgate 4–7 3–3 T–4th
2007 Colgate 7–4 4–2 T–2nd
2008 Colgate 9–3 5–0 1st L NCAA Division I First Round 16
2009 Colgate 9–2 4–2 T–2nd 20
2010 Colgate 7–4 3–2 T–2nd
2011 Colgate 5–6 1–4 T–5th
2012 Colgate 8–4 5–0 1st L NCAA Division I First Round 25
2013 Colgate 4–8 3–2 T–2nd
Colgate: 137–73 78–26
Total: 137–73
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Colgate University Football Head Coach". athletics.colgate.edu. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  2. ^ "Barton Inks Pact With Argonauts". The Salem News. May 3, 1971. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Walters, Keith (May 7, 1971). "Canada's Where Money Is!". The Charleston Daily Mail. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Alouettes Release 12". The Ottawa Journal. June 24, 1971. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Biddle Looks Good In Hardhat Drills". The Weirton Daily Times. June 3, 1972. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Hardhats Sweep 9th Win, Rip Virginia Team, 51–0". The Weirton Daily Times. September 12, 1972. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Biddle Coaching". The Charleston Daily Mail. August 19, 1971. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Dick Biddle - Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach -". www.gocolgateraiders.com.
  9. ^ "Colgate's Dick Biddle Announces Retirement; Dan Hunt to Become Next Head Coach". Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2014.