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Head Coach Jack Leggett on Bicknell: "Toby is in his second season as our volunteer coach. He is an extremely hard worker, and he is very loyal and knowledgeable. He works with our infielders and hitters. He is paying his dues. He's a great coach and will be an asset to someone's program when he gets a full-time job. He contributes in many ways toward our success. We are lucky to have him in our program."
Toby Bicknell is in his second season with the Tiger coaching staff in 2008. Bicknell (pronounced BIHK-nuhl) serves as volunteer coach, working primarily with infielders and hitters along with coordinating summer camps. He is also Clemson's first-base coach.
In his first season at Clemson in 2007, Bicknell helped coach one of the best infields in Tiger history, led by first-baseman Andy D'Alessio, shortstop Taylor Harbin, and third-baseman Marquez Smith. Smith was a First-Team All-ACC selection who hit .336 with 13 homers and 56 RBIs, while D'Alessio batted .319 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs. Harbin added 19 doubles, 11 homers, and a team-high 62 RBIs as well.
The 2007 Tigers had another successful season, as they advanced to the Starkville (MS) Super Regional after capturing the Myrtle Beach (SC) Regional title. Another reason for Clemson's success that season was its .971 fielding percentage, one of the best marks in school history, after committing just 74 errors in 64 games. That high mark was attained even though starting shortstop Stan Widmann was lost early in the season due to injury.
The Charlotte, NC native lettered three times at Charlotte Christian School from 1995-97. He earned all-conference honors as a junior, and as a senior, he was an all-state, All-Mecklenberg County, and all-conference selection under Head Coach Greg Simmons. He was also the starting quarterback on the football squad as a senior.
Between 1998-00, Bicknell served as an assistant coach at Providence Senior High School in Charlotte. He then lettered one season (2002) at Wingate, where he played third base under Head Coach Bill Nash.
The 29-year-old spent two seasons (2003,04) as an assistant coach at Myers Park High School in Charlotte. The 2003 team was runnerup in the AAAA state tournament. The 2004 team made the playoffs as well.
During his two seasons with the Myers Park High School program, Bicknell coached righthander Robert Woodard (North Carolina), who pitched a three-hit shutout against Clemson in the 2006 College World Series and also pitched in the 2007 College World Series for the Tar Heels. Bicknell also coached Rob Wilson, who later played at Davidson, and Logan Smith, who went on to play at North Carolina-Greensboro.
Bicknell served as an assistant coach at North Carolina-Pembroke during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The program had back-to-back 30-win seasons for the first time in school history during his two years with the Braves.
During the 2005 season, the North Carolina-Pembroke squad reached as high as #7 in the country in the Division II rankings as an assistant under Head Coach Paul O'Neil. The season also included a three-game sweep of #4 North Florida.
The 2006 squad set or tied eight school records, including victories (32), batting average (.322), hits (611), doubles (106), triples (21), home runs (44), and runs scored (402). That team also finished in the top five in the conference in seven offensive categories.
Six of the starters in 2006 batted .315 or better, including First-Team All-Peach Belt first-baseman Barrett Otto, who hit .378 and set the school record for hits in a season (74). Otto along with outfielder Tripp Lockhart were both Academic All-Americans. Shortstop Jason Morales, who hit .332 in 2006, was a Coastal Plain League All-Star and won the Home Run Derby as well.
In his nine years as a coach at the prep level, Bicknell coached a total of 30 players who went on to play college baseball, including six ACC players, seven Southern Conference players, and two draft picks.
Bicknell, who wears #2 at Clemson, earned his bachelor's degree in physical education at Wingate in 2002. Bicknell later earned a master's degree in sports administration at North Carolina-Pembroke in 2006.
Bicknell was born November 15, 1978 in Houston, TX. He and his wife Faith, a native of Fayetteville, GA, married on August 4, 2007.
Full Name: Toby Nicholas Bicknell
Born: November 15, 1978 in Houston, TX
Education: Bachelor's degree in physical education at Wingate (2002); master's degree in sports administration at North Carolina-Pembroke (2006)
Playing Experience: One-year letterman at Wingate (2002)
Coaching Experience: Assistant coach at Providence (NC) Senior High School (1998-00); assistant coach at Myers Park (NC) High School (2003,04); graduate assistant coach at North Carolina-Pembroke (2005,06); volunteer assistant coach at Clemson (2007)
Family: Wife, Faith
