By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS – The newest member of the Fort Hays State football team’s coaching staff is a familiar name and face. Layton Hickel, who played for the Tigers, is in his first season as defensive line coach. Hickel replaced Ike Eguae who left for a similar position at Division I Stephen F. Austin after seven seasons with the Tigers.
Prior to joining the Tigers coaching staff, Hickel served as a high school assistant, most recently as defensive coordinator at Hays High School.
“I always stayed in touch with coach (Cooper) Harris and coach (Chris) Brown when I was back.” Hickel said. “They did a great job of mentoring me and helping me with some struggles I was having as a coordinator."
"When the job opened, they reached out and it was really a no-brainer. It was tough to leave where I was at. I loved Tony and that staff, but coach Brown has always been like a father figure to me and I have so much respect for Cooper Harris and that defense and to be a part of that and learn from that was something that I had to be a part of.” Hickel said.
The Claflin native graduated from FHSU in 2013 after spending five years in the Tigers program. Hickel started in 22 off the 44 games he played in during his career and earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors as a senior when he led the team in tackles with 101. He finished his career ranked fourth in career tackles for the NCAA II era at Fort Hays State.
Hickel says he’s still getting used to the talent level at the collegiate level.
“The game hasn’t changed tremendously (since Hickel played), at least I don’t feel like it because I’ve been involved in the game, but the size of these kids out here is just unbelievable. I feel like we did not look like this when we were in college. The size and athleticism of these kids is so impressive to see as a coach now in the college level. You one or two in high school but you have a team full of them at the college (level).” Hickel said.
Listen to the complete interview with Hickel below.