Bob Bicknell enters his 13th NFL season in 2020, and his third with Cincinnati. Bicknell will lead a talented group of Bengals receivers, including seven-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross III, and 2020 second-round pick Tee Higgins.
Last season, Bicknell guided the Bengals' receiving corps through an entire year without their leader and best player, A.J. Green, who was lost for the season due to an injury in training camp. Bicknell, though, helped each of Cincinnati's top four WRs fill in admirably, as each set new career-highs in both catches and receiving yards — Tyler Boyd (90 catches-1046 yards), Alex Erickson (43-529), Auden Tate (40-575) and John Ross (28-506).
In 2018, Bicknell helped guide Boyd to 76 catches, 1028 receiving yards and seven TDs. It was the first of Boyd's now two 1000-yard seasons, and the first such season by a Bengals WR other than Green since 2009 (Chad Johnson). Green was limited by injury to just nine games in his first season under Bicknell, but he still managed 46 catches for 694 yards and six TDs. And after an injury shortened season as a rookie, Ross in 2018 went on to tie Boyd for the team high in receiving TDs (seven).
Bicknell spent 2017 as the wide receivers coach at Baylor University, where he helped sophomore Denzel Mims to career-highs in catches (61), receiving yards (1087) and TDs (eight).
In 2018, Bicknell was wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers under head coach Chip Kelly. Under Bicknell's direction, WR Jeremy Kerley logged career highs in receptions (64) and TDs (three).
Prior to his stint in San Francisco, Bicknell spent three seasons (2013-15) as wide receivers coach in Philadelphia under Kelly. During his tenure, the Eagles' offense set franchise records in points, TDs, passing yards, completions and completion percentage.
In 2015, Bicknell helped WR Jordan Matthews to 85 receptions (fourth-most in Eagles history), 997 receiving yards and eight TDs. In 2014, Bicknell guided WR Jeremy Maclin to career highs in receptions (85), receiving yards (1318) and receiving TDs (10) en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. And in 2013, Bicknell helped WR DeSean Jackson set career-highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1332) en route to his third Pro Bowl selection.
From 2010-12, Bicknell was on the Buffalo Bills' coaching staff, serving as tight ends coach from '10-11 and wide receivers coach in '12. In 2012, Bicknell helped WR Stevie Johnson to his third consecutive 1000-yard season.
Bicknell broke into the NFL coaching ranks in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he initially served as assistant offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive line coach ('08) and then moving to coach tight ends coach ('09). In 2008, Bicknell helped the Chiefs' offensive line support a powerful running attack that tied for the AFC lead in rushing, at 4.8 yards per carry.
Before joining NFL coaching, Bicknell served as the offensive line coach at Temple University in 2006. Prior to his time at Temple, he spent eight years in NFL Europe (1998-2005), including stints as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach for the Cologne Centurions ('04-05) and Berlin Thunder ('01-03). During his time in Europe, Bicknell won three consecutive World Bowls as part of the coaching staff of the Thunder (2000-01) and Frankfurt Galaxy (1999).
Bicknell began his coaching career at Boston University, where he coached safeties (1993), running backs ('94) and linebackers ('95-97).
A native of Holliston, Mass., Bicknell was a three-year letterman as a tight end at Boston College (1989-91). He comes from a football family, as his father, Jack, was the head coach at BC from 1981-90 and spent 13 seasons as a head coach in NFL Europe before retiring in 2007. His brother, Jack, Jr., is currently the offensive line coach at Auburn. Jack Jr. has previously served as an NFL assistant with the Dolphins, Giants, Chiefs and Steelers.
Bicknell and his wife, Stacey, have two children — Gabriella and Grace. His last name is pronounced "bick-NELL."
Playing and coaching history: 1989-91—Played tight end at Boston College. 1993-97—Assistant coach (AC), Boston University. 1998-99—AC, Frankfurt Galaxy (NFLE). 2000-03—AC, Berlin Thunder (NFLE). 2004-05—AC, Cologne Centurions (NFLE). 2006—AC, Temple. 2007-09—AC, Kansas City Chiefs. 2010-12—AC, Buffalo Bills. 2013-15—AC, Philadelphia Eagles. 2016—AC, San Francisco 49ers. 2017—AC, Baylor. 2018-present—AC, Cincinnati Bengals.
