Northwestern University Athletics
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Bob Bicknell Joins Northwestern's Staff as Tight Ends Coach
1/4/2026 11:06:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Bob Bicknell will join Northwestern football's coaching staff as the team's Tight Ends Coach, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun announced on Sunday.
The Holliston, Mass., native brings over three decades of coaching experience to Evanston, including stops in the FBS, NFL and NFL Europe. Most recently, he served as a senior offensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders.
In 2024, Bicknell worked as the tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. Under his guidance, Patriots tight end Hunter Henry ranked eighth among NFL tight ends in receiving yards, finishing the season with 674 yards.
Bicknell previously served as a senior offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints from 2022–23, where he helped develop quarterback-tight end hybrid Taysom Hill into one of the NFL's most dynamic offensive weapons. Hill combined for 14 touchdowns passing and rushing during those two seasons.
Prior to his role at the Saints, Bicknell spent three seasons (2018-20) with the Cincinnati Bengals coaching wide receivers. In 2019, he guided the Bengals' receiving corps through a season without its leader and top target, A.J. Green, who missed the year due to an injury suffered during training camp. Despite the setback, each of Cincinnati's top four wide receivers recorded career highs in both receptions and receiving yards: Tyler Boyd (90 catches, 1,046 yards), Alex Erickson (43 catches, 529 yards), Auden Tate (40 catches, 575 yards) and John Ross (28 catches, 506 yards).
In 2018, during Bicknell's first season with the Bengals, Boyd recorded 76 receptions for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns, marking the first of Boyd's two career 1,000-yard seasons and the first such season by a Bengals wide receiver other than Green since 2009 (Chad Johnson). Green was limited to nine games that year due to injury but still finished with 46 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns. Ross, following an injury-shortened rookie year, tied Boyd for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with seven.
Bicknell spent 2017 as the wide receivers coach at Baylor, where he helped sophomore Denzel Mims post career-highs in catches (61), receiving yards (1087) and touchdowns (eight).
In 2016, Bicknell served as the wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers under head coach (and current Northwestern Offensive Coordinator) Chip Kelly. Under Bicknell's direction, WR Jeremy Kerley logged career highs in receptions (64) and touchdowns (three).
Bicknell spent three seasons (2013-15) as wide receivers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles under Kelly prior to his stint in San Francisco. During his tenure, the Eagles' offense set franchise records in points, touchdowns, passing yards, completions and completion percentage.
During Bicknell's tenure in Philadelphia, wide receiver Jordan Matthews recorded 85 receptions in 2015–fourth-most in franchise history–along with 997 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In 2014, Jeremy Maclin posted career highs in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdowns (10), earning his first Pro Bowl selection. In 2013, DeSean Jackson set career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,332) en route to his third Pro Bowl appearance.
From 2010–12, Bicknell was a member of the Buffalo Bills' coaching staff, serving as tight ends coach from 2010–11 and wide receivers coach in 2012. During the 2012 season, he helped Stevie Johnson earn his third consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaign.
Bicknell entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, initially serving as assistant offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive line coach in 2008 and later transitioning to tight ends coach in 2009. In 2008, Bicknell helped the Chiefs' offensive line support a powerful running attack that tied for the AFC lead at 4.8 yards per carry.
Between his time in the NFL and Europe, Bicknell spent one season as the offensive line coach at Temple, following an eight-year stretch helping expand professional football overseas.
Bicknell joined NFL Europe in 1998 as offensive line coach for the Frankfurt Galaxy, a role he held for two seasons. The Galaxy advanced to consecutive World Bowls, capturing the 1999 title with Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme under center. He later joined the Berlin Thunder, serving as offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator from 2001-03. The Thunder ranked second in total offense in 2001 and first in 2002 as the club captured back-to-back World Bowls. NFL signal-callers Jonathan Quinn, Todd Husak and former Temple star Henry Burris all saw time at quarterback for the Thunder during Bicknell's tenure.
In Cologne, Bicknell directed an offense in 2004 that featured Tony Pashos, who also started at offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, and quarterback Ryan Van Dyke, who topped the league with 2,003 passing yards. In 2005, Kory Chapman ranked second in the league in rushing and total yards from scrimmage and later played for the Indianapolis Colts.
Bicknell began his coaching career at Boston University in 1993 under the late Dan Allen. He coached the safeties in his first year with the Terriers before directing the running backs in 1994. BU advanced to the playoffs in both seasons, including a 12-1 record in 1993.
Bicknell was a letterwinner at Boston College from 1989–91, playing tight end under his father, Jack Bicknell, and later under head coach Tom Coughlin. He earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College in 1992. Bicknell and his wife, Stacey, have two daughters, Gabriella and Grace. A member of a football family, his father served as head coach at Boston College from 1981–90, while his brother, Jack Jr., started at center for Boston College and currently coaches the offensive line at West Virginia University.
The Holliston, Mass., native brings over three decades of coaching experience to Evanston, including stops in the FBS, NFL and NFL Europe. Most recently, he served as a senior offensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Welcome to Northwestern Football, Bob Bicknell!
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) January 4, 2026
Bicknell joins the staff as Tight Ends Coach, bringing over 30 years of experience at the NFL and collegiate levels. pic.twitter.com/zPhhonSieJ
In 2024, Bicknell worked as the tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. Under his guidance, Patriots tight end Hunter Henry ranked eighth among NFL tight ends in receiving yards, finishing the season with 674 yards.
Bicknell previously served as a senior offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints from 2022–23, where he helped develop quarterback-tight end hybrid Taysom Hill into one of the NFL's most dynamic offensive weapons. Hill combined for 14 touchdowns passing and rushing during those two seasons.
Prior to his role at the Saints, Bicknell spent three seasons (2018-20) with the Cincinnati Bengals coaching wide receivers. In 2019, he guided the Bengals' receiving corps through a season without its leader and top target, A.J. Green, who missed the year due to an injury suffered during training camp. Despite the setback, each of Cincinnati's top four wide receivers recorded career highs in both receptions and receiving yards: Tyler Boyd (90 catches, 1,046 yards), Alex Erickson (43 catches, 529 yards), Auden Tate (40 catches, 575 yards) and John Ross (28 catches, 506 yards).
In 2018, during Bicknell's first season with the Bengals, Boyd recorded 76 receptions for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns, marking the first of Boyd's two career 1,000-yard seasons and the first such season by a Bengals wide receiver other than Green since 2009 (Chad Johnson). Green was limited to nine games that year due to injury but still finished with 46 catches for 694 yards and six touchdowns. Ross, following an injury-shortened rookie year, tied Boyd for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with seven.
Bicknell spent 2017 as the wide receivers coach at Baylor, where he helped sophomore Denzel Mims post career-highs in catches (61), receiving yards (1087) and touchdowns (eight).
In 2016, Bicknell served as the wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers under head coach (and current Northwestern Offensive Coordinator) Chip Kelly. Under Bicknell's direction, WR Jeremy Kerley logged career highs in receptions (64) and touchdowns (three).
Bicknell spent three seasons (2013-15) as wide receivers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles under Kelly prior to his stint in San Francisco. During his tenure, the Eagles' offense set franchise records in points, touchdowns, passing yards, completions and completion percentage.
During Bicknell's tenure in Philadelphia, wide receiver Jordan Matthews recorded 85 receptions in 2015–fourth-most in franchise history–along with 997 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In 2014, Jeremy Maclin posted career highs in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdowns (10), earning his first Pro Bowl selection. In 2013, DeSean Jackson set career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,332) en route to his third Pro Bowl appearance.
From 2010–12, Bicknell was a member of the Buffalo Bills' coaching staff, serving as tight ends coach from 2010–11 and wide receivers coach in 2012. During the 2012 season, he helped Stevie Johnson earn his third consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaign.
Bicknell entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, initially serving as assistant offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive line coach in 2008 and later transitioning to tight ends coach in 2009. In 2008, Bicknell helped the Chiefs' offensive line support a powerful running attack that tied for the AFC lead at 4.8 yards per carry.
Between his time in the NFL and Europe, Bicknell spent one season as the offensive line coach at Temple, following an eight-year stretch helping expand professional football overseas.
Bicknell joined NFL Europe in 1998 as offensive line coach for the Frankfurt Galaxy, a role he held for two seasons. The Galaxy advanced to consecutive World Bowls, capturing the 1999 title with Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme under center. He later joined the Berlin Thunder, serving as offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator from 2001-03. The Thunder ranked second in total offense in 2001 and first in 2002 as the club captured back-to-back World Bowls. NFL signal-callers Jonathan Quinn, Todd Husak and former Temple star Henry Burris all saw time at quarterback for the Thunder during Bicknell's tenure.
In Cologne, Bicknell directed an offense in 2004 that featured Tony Pashos, who also started at offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, and quarterback Ryan Van Dyke, who topped the league with 2,003 passing yards. In 2005, Kory Chapman ranked second in the league in rushing and total yards from scrimmage and later played for the Indianapolis Colts.
Bicknell began his coaching career at Boston University in 1993 under the late Dan Allen. He coached the safeties in his first year with the Terriers before directing the running backs in 1994. BU advanced to the playoffs in both seasons, including a 12-1 record in 1993.
Bicknell was a letterwinner at Boston College from 1989–91, playing tight end under his father, Jack Bicknell, and later under head coach Tom Coughlin. He earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College in 1992. Bicknell and his wife, Stacey, have two daughters, Gabriella and Grace. A member of a football family, his father served as head coach at Boston College from 1981–90, while his brother, Jack Jr., started at center for Boston College and currently coaches the offensive line at West Virginia University.
Coaching Assignments
| Years | Position | Institution |
| 2025 | Senior Offensive Assistant | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 2024 | Tight Ends Coach | New England Patriots |
| 2022-23 | Senior Offensive Assistant | New Orleans Saints |
| 2018-20 | Wide Receivers Coach | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2017 | Wide Receivers Coach | Baylor |
| 2016 | Wide Receivers Coach | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2013-15 | Wide Receivers Coach | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2012 | Wide Receivers Coach | Buffalo Bills |
| 2010-11 | Tight Ends Coach | Buffalo Bills |
| 2009 | Tight Ends Coach | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2008 | Offensive Line Coach | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2007 | Assistant Offensive Line Coach | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2006 | Offensive Line Coach | Temple |
| 2004-05 | Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach | Cologne Centurions |
| 2001-03 | Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach | Berlin Thunder |
| 2000 | Offensive Line Coach | Berlin Thunder |
| 1999 | Offensive Line Coach | Frankfurt Galaxy |
| 1998 | Defensive Line Coach | Frankfurt Galaxy |
| 1995-97 | Linebackers Coach | Boston University |
| 1994 | Running Backs Coach | Boston University |
| 1993 | Safeties Coach | Boston University |
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