Gene Bissell
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 12, 1926 Akron, Ohio |
| Died | January 28, 2016 (aged 89) Salina, Kansas |
| Playing career | |
| 1948 | Heidelberg |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1950–1951 | Kansas Wesleyan (assistant) |
| 1952–1961 | Kansas Wesleyan |
| 1963–1978 | Kansas Wesleyan |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 115–119–7 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 4 KCAC (1956–1957, 1969, 1971) | |
| Awards | |
| NAIA Hall of Fame (1991) Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2019)[1] | |
Franklin Gene Bissell (April 12, 1926 – January 28, 2016) was an American football player and coach.[2] He served as the head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan University from 1952 to 1961 and again from 1963 to 1978, compiling a record of 115–119–7.
Playing career[edit]
Bissell entered Heidelberg College and graduated after three years. While at Heidelberg, he played defensive tackle and also was a punter under the head coach. Paul Hoernemann. Bissell started for three-years and was co-captain of the undefeated 1948 Ohio Athletic Conference championship team. Bissell also lettered in basketball two years and pitched for the baseball squad.[3]
Coaching career[edit]
A graduate of Heidelberg College, Bissell started his career at Kansas Wesleyan University as an assistant football coach in 1950. In 1952, he was named the 13th head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan. He also coached track and was an assistant basketball coach, in addition to teaching a full academic schedule. His record as the head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan was 115–119–7. His Coyotes won four KCAC championships. He died on January 28, 2016, at the age of 89.[4]
Head coaching record[edit]
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1952–1961) | |||||||||
| 1952 | Kansas Wesleyan | 5–4 | 2–4 | 6th | |||||
| 1953 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–5–1 | 3–3–1 | 4th | |||||
| 1954 | Kansas Wesleyan | 5–3–1 | 4–2–1 | T–3rd | |||||
| 1955 | Kansas Wesleyan | 6–3 | 5–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1956 | Kansas Wesleyan | 8–1 | 7–0 | 1st | |||||
| 1957 | Kansas Wesleyan | 8–1 | 6–1 | 1st | |||||
| 1958 | Kansas Wesleyan | 4–4–1 | 3–4 | T–4th | |||||
| 1959 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–5–1 | 3–3–1 | 4th | |||||
| 1960 | Kansas Wesleyan | 4–4–1 | 4–4–1 | T–5th | |||||
| 1961 | Kansas Wesleyan | 4–5 | 4–5 | T–5th | |||||
| Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1963–1978) | |||||||||
| 1963 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–6 | 3–6 | T–7th | |||||
| 1964 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–6 | 3–6 | T–6th | |||||
| 1965 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–6 | 3–6 | T–7th | |||||
| 1966 | Kansas Wesleyan | 2–7 | 2–7 | T–8th | |||||
| 1967 | Kansas Wesleyan | 6–3 | 6–3 | T–3rd | |||||
| 1968 | Kansas Wesleyan | 7–2 | 7–2 | 2nd | |||||
| 1969 | Kansas Wesleyan | 8–2 | 5–0 | 1st (North) | W KCAC Championship Game | ||||
| 1970 | Kansas Wesleyan | 7–2 | 3–2 | 3rd (North) | |||||
| 1971 | Kansas Wesleyan | 8–1 | 8–0 | 1st | |||||
| 1972 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–5–1 | 3–4–1 | 6th | |||||
| 1973 | Kansas Wesleyan | 2–8 | 1–7 | 9th | |||||
| 1974 | Kansas Wesleyan | 2–8 | 2–6 | T–7th | |||||
| 1975 | Kansas Wesleyan | 5–5 | 5–3 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1976 | Kansas Wesleyan | 3–7 | 2–6 | 8th | |||||
| 1977 | Kansas Wesleyan | 2–7–1 | 2–5–1 | 7th | |||||
| 1978 | Kansas Wesleyan | 1–9 | 1–7 | 8th | |||||
| Kansas Wesleyan: | 115–119–7 | 97–98–6 | |||||||
| Total: | 115–119–7 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
References[edit]
- ^ Eldridge, Taylor (May 30, 2019). "Nick Collison, Warren Jabali headline 2019 class for Kansas Sports Hall of Fame". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ Cook, R.C. (1959). "Who's who in American Education: A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Living Educators of the United States". Who's Who in American Education. 19. ISSN 0083-9418. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ "Dr. Franklin Bissell (bio)". Heidelberg College. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
- ^ "Longtime beloved coach Gene Bissell has died at age 89". Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.