Dicken enters his 10th season as an assistant football coach at Gettysburg and was elevated to Offensive Coordinator prior to the 2021 campaign. In addition to his OC duties, Dicken oversees the quarterbacks.
Dicken has worked on both sides of the ball in his previous nine years on staff. In his first four years at Gettysburg, he mentored the Bullets’ secondary. In 2015, Dicken helped the Bullets finish second in the Centennial Conference in interceptions (15), while Brian Calatozzo ’16 tied for the conference lead with six picks on the way to all-conference status. Two Bullets finished among the top three in the CC in pass break-ups during the 2017 campaign, including league leader Mike McKnight ’19 with 15, which was the best total by a Gettysburg player in 22 years. Gettysburg racked up 44 interceptions in Dicken’s four years on defense.
Transitioning to the offensive side in 2018, Dicken inherited a young and developing receiving corps. In his second year with the group, he counted six players with 11 or more catches and 100 receiving yards on the year, doubling the total players from the prior year. Included in that group was Sal DeBenedetto ’22, who hauled in the longest touchdown reception in program history with a 98-yarder against Juniata.
Dicken came to Gettysburg from Illinois Wesleyan University, where he spent four seasons as an assistant coach. In the 2012 and 2013 seasons he worked as the defensive backs coach and junior varsity defensive coordinator while serving as a graduate assistant. He also assisted with the kickoff, punt, and punt return teams. In 2013, Dicken helped the Titans put together a 9-2 record and earn an at-large berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs while finishing 25th in Division III in total defense. He also helped a pair of Titans earn three All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) honors.
Dicken also served as the tight ends and assistant wide receivers coach at Illinois Wesleyan in 2010-11, helping one of the team’s tight ends capture All-CCIW recognition. In addition, Dicken ran the scout offense and assisted with the kick return and punt teams.
As an undergraduate, Dicken was a standout quarterback at Millikin University. He racked up 2,576 passing yards and 17 touchdowns for the Big Blue while rushing for an additional 435 yards and five touchdowns. In 2008, his 1,785 yards of total offense was the 10th-hightest in school history. Dicken finished his career as the 10th-leading passer all-time at Millikin, where he graduated with a bachelor of professional studies degree in physical education. He also received his master’s degree in psychology of sport and physical activity from Illinois State in 2014.
Dicken also spent two seasons playing in the Indoor Football League, competing as a quarterback for the Bloomington Edge in 2011-12.
