Nov. 26, 1947–Aug. 11, 2023
Honoring the winningest coach in Colgate and Patriot League history
Richard “Dick” Biddle, a name synonymous with Colgate football excellence, has left an indelible mark on the sport and the University to which he devoted his life. Serving as the head football coach at Colgate from 1996– 2013, Biddle achieved a record of 137–73 and led his team to a total of seven Patriot League Championships — making him the winningest coach in both Colgate and Patriot League history. His .75 winning percentage in league games remains unmatched.
Biddle’s journey with Colgate began in 1977 when he joined as a defensive line coach. Over the years, he contributed to the program’s growth and success, eventually taking the helm from Ed Sweeney as head coach. At the time, the Raiders were coming off a winless season, but Biddle’s arrival signaled a transformative era for Colgate football.
During his 18-year tenure, Biddle led the Raiders to victory so regularly and so consistently that the Patriot League named its Coach of the Year Award in his honor. The crowning achievement of Biddle’s career came in 2012 when he led the Raiders to the league title and secured them a place in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
Recognition of Biddell’s coaching extended beyond the conference when he was named the 2003 National Coach of the Year.
While Biddle’s accomplishments on the field were legendary, his impact went beyond statistics. One former player, current Head Football Coach Stan Dakosty ’05, recalled his interactions with Biddle off of the field. During his junior and senior years, Dakosty was injured and unable to play.
Recognizing this, Biddle welcomed Dakosty to help film their practices and assist in coaching the team. “Even though I wasn’t playing, Biddle kept me around and allowed me to be a part of the program, and that really meant a lot,” Dakosty told the Maroon News in 2021.
Throughout the years, Colgate recognized Biddle in various ways. He was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor in 2015, and in 2021, the University unveiled a three-part tribute at Andy Kerr Stadium that included Biddle Way, Biddle Plaza, and the Dick Biddle video board.
“Very few people can impact a football program, at any level, the way coach did,” Dakosty reflected after Biddle’s passing. “He was unapologetic about his desire to win, and to win championships. He led with a sense of toughness and grit. He was Colgate football personified.”
In the early days of Biddle’s football career, he was an all-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker at Duke University for two years. During his time with the Blue Devils, Biddle received the Hatchet Award on three separate occasions, an honor reserved for the most valuable player on defense. Despite going undrafted in the 1971 NFL draft, Biddle’s determination never wavered. He signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and continued to pursue his passion for the sport when he began coaching.