Hampden-Sydney College

Eli Wicklund is in his fourth year at Hampden-Sydney College during 2021-22, serving his second year as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, after previously serving as the linebackers coach in 2019 and working with the cornerbacks during 2018. He serves as the program's recruiting coordinator, as well.

Recruiting Territory | Richmond and the I-95 corridor North to DC

Wicklund brought almost a decade of collegiate coaching experience to the Tigers.  He most recently coached at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania from 2016-17, working with the running backs in 2016 and the cornerbacks in 2017.  The Bison defense in 2017 was ranked fourth nationally in passing yards allowed per game (148.3) and 11th in total defense (294.6).

Wicklund spent two years at Rice University in Houston, Texas from 2014-16, working as a defensive and special teams quality control coach.  He served one year as a defensive backs coach at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois during 2013, helping the program post the school’s best record since 1971.

Wicklund spent four seasons on the defensive staff at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio from 2009-12, helping the RedHawks to the 2010 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship and a post-season bowl victory past Middle Tennessee State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.  He served in a variety of roles at Miami, most recently as the defensive graduate assistant where he worked with the defensive backs and linebackers.

Wicklund is a 2009 graduate of Miami, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in sports studies with minors in coaching and English literature.  He first served as a freshman video staff volunteer with the football program in 2005, and continued in a variety of positions throughout his undergraduate career at Miami.  Wicklund joined the RedHawks’ football coaching staff as a recruiting and defensive intern upon his graduation.

Wicklund and his wife, Lauren, have two daughters, Sydney and Samantha.  Lauren is in her fourth year at the University of Richmond, currently serving as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Leadership and Student-Athlete Development.