Kansas State University Athletics
Former K-State Coach Jim Dickey Passes Away
Feb 20, 2018 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – An eight-year head coach who led Kansas State to the first bowl game in program history, Jim Dickey passed away in Houston, Texas, on Sunday at the age of 84.
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Dickey became K-State's 24th head coach on December 29, 1977, as he took over a program that had 6-27 record the previous three years. After going a combined 11-22 his first three seasons, Dickey took the unusual approach of redshirting multiple players – including upperclassmen – in 1981 to set the program up for a breakout the next year.
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The tactic worked as K-State produced its first winning season in 12 years by going 6-5-1 in 1982, including a 33-10 victory over Colorado in the regular-season finale to propel the Wildcats to their first-ever bowl game, the 1982 Independence Bowl.
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For his efforts, Dickey was named the 1982 Big 8 Coach of the Year, just the second conference coach of the year honoree in program history. The 1982 season also produced three All-Big 8 players in split end Mike Wallace, cornerback Greg Best and defensive tackle Reggie Singletary, the most all-conference Wildcats in 12 years.
Dickey's life will be celebrated on Friday morning in Houston. Arrangements are being handled by Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.
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Dickey became K-State's 24th head coach on December 29, 1977, as he took over a program that had 6-27 record the previous three years. After going a combined 11-22 his first three seasons, Dickey took the unusual approach of redshirting multiple players – including upperclassmen – in 1981 to set the program up for a breakout the next year.
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The tactic worked as K-State produced its first winning season in 12 years by going 6-5-1 in 1982, including a 33-10 victory over Colorado in the regular-season finale to propel the Wildcats to their first-ever bowl game, the 1982 Independence Bowl.
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For his efforts, Dickey was named the 1982 Big 8 Coach of the Year, just the second conference coach of the year honoree in program history. The 1982 season also produced three All-Big 8 players in split end Mike Wallace, cornerback Greg Best and defensive tackle Reggie Singletary, the most all-conference Wildcats in 12 years.
Dickey's life will be celebrated on Friday morning in Houston. Arrangements are being handled by Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.
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