Eric Hickson is entering his third season at FIU after being named as the running backs and associate head coach in 2022, after previously serving in the same role at the University of Miami for the previous three seasons.
Hickson is a native of Fort Lauderdale who graduated from Dillard High School before heading to Kansas State where he graduated as the leading rusher in program history with 2,537 yards and 26 touchdowns.
During his first season in Coral Gables, all three of the Hurricanes running backs posted career-high rushing totals, including DeeJay Dallas who averaged 6.0 yards per carry and was selected in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Prior to his time at Miami, Hickson also had stints at Kansas State and Akron. He got his start in coaching in South Florida at Coral Springs Charter School (2003-06) and American Heritage (2007-11).
In 2018, Hickson helped Wildcats junior running back Alex Barnes lead the Big 12 with 1,355 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Overall, Kansas State ranked third in the conference in rushing, averaging 182.6 yards per game.
Prior to his one-year coaching stint in Manhattan, Hickson spent three seasons as the running backs coach at Akron, where he helped the Zips earn a pair of bowl berths, including the 2017 campaign in which Akron won the MAC East Division and played in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Hickson joined the Zips after serving as the interim head coach, running backs coach and outgoing recruiting coordinator at Garden City (KS) Community College in 2014. Prior to joining the Broncbusters, Hickson coached at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis for two seasons, serving as the head coach his last year.
He launched his coaching career in the high school ranks in South Florida, first as assistant head coach at Coral Springs Charter School (2003-06) and then as running backs and special teams coach at American Heritage (2007-11).
Hickson left Kansas State in 1998 as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 2,537 yards and 26 touchdowns, marks that still rank fifth and seventh in program history, respectively.
A three-year starter and two-time team captain, Hickson led the Wildcats in rushing during the 1995, 1997 and 1998 seasons. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1999, and eventually played in the XFL and Arena Football League.
Hickson and his wife Keisha have one son, Eric, Jr.
HICKSON COACHING FILE
| 2022-present |
FIU |
Associate Head Coach/Running Backs |
| 2019-21 |
Miami (Fla.) |
Running Backs |
| 2018 |
Kansas State |
Running Backs |
| 2015-17 |
Akron |
Running Backs |
| 2014 |
Garden City CC |
Interim Head Coach/Running Backs/Recruiting |
| 2012-13 |
Emmerich Manual HS |
Head Coach |
| 2007-11 |
American Heritage HS |
Running Backs/Special Teams |
| 2003-06 |
Coral Springs Charter HS |
Associate Head Coach |
