The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Jack Bicknell, Jr. as their new offensive line coach, it was announced today.
Bicknell is entering his fifth season in the NFL as an assistant coach, having served as the offensive line coach for Kansas City in 2012 and as the assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants from 2009-11.
"I am excited to have Jack join the Pittsburgh Steelers," Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said. "Jack has a tremendous football pedigree and the background we were looking for to guide our offensive line in the upcoming years. I look forward to having him join our staff as we prepare for the upcoming 2013 season."
Bicknell was part of a New York coaching staff that helped lead the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLVI. In 2011, New York's offensive line only allowed 28 sacks as the Giants' offense ranked fifth in the NFL in passing. While in New York, Bicknell helped G Chris Snee and OL Shaun O'Hara earn three selections to the NFC Pro Bowl team. In Bicknell's first season with the Giants, three offensive linemen were selected to the Pro Bowl, marking the first time since 1962 that three Giants from the same position group were selected to the NFL's all-star game.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the greatest franchises in the NFL," said Bicknell, Jr. "The Steelers have great tradition, great ownership and great leadership from the top to the bottom. For me to be able to come to a situation like this, it is really a dream come true."
Prior to coaching in the NFL, Bicknell coached collegiately from 1985-2008, including eight seasons as the head coach at Louisiana Tech (1999-2006), where his 43 victories ranked third in school history. Bicknell began his coaching career at Boston College, his alma mater, serving as a graduate assistant from 1985-87. He would later serve as the Eagles' assistant head coach/offensive line coach in 2007-08.
Bicknell also coached at New Hampshire (defensive line – 1987-92; offensive line – 1993-96) and Louisiana Tech (offensive line – 1997-98).
Bicknell played center at Boston College from 1981-85. In 1984, he snapped the ball to Doug Flutie to begin one of the most famous plays in college football, a Hail Mary pass that defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl. In his final season at Boston College, Bicknell was given the Scanlon Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a BC football player, the Scarminach Award for athletic and academic excellence and the Dean's Award in the school of education.
Bicknell's father, Jack, was the head coach of NFL Europe's Barcelona Dragons (1991-2003) and for Boston College (1981-90). His brother, Bob, was an assistant coach in Kansas City from 2007-09 and was the wide receivers coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2010-12.
