Robert Morris University Athletics

Robert Morris University head football coach John Banaszak announced the hiring of Darrin Hicks as offensive coordinator in December 2013. Hicks is entering his second season overseeing the Colonial offense.
 
Hicks helped a number of Colonials to success on the field in his first season while installing an entirely new system on the offensive end. Quarterback Derik Abbott posted the second-best single-season completion percentage in program history (min. 100 attempts) with Hicks’ guidance as he connected on 57.1 of his passes. Duane Mitchell broke the RMU single-season receptions record (54) in Hicks’ scheme as the Colonials completed the second-most passes in program history (171). True freshman Rameses Owens also showed flashes of brilliance in Hicks’ offense despite his youth as he set the RMU single-game freshman rushing record in his first collegiate start.
 
Hicks brought 17 years of collegiate coaching experience to RMU, including 10 as an offensive coordinator. At points in his career, he directly coached quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and offensive linemen. He also has experience recruiting student-athletes from a wide variety of locales across the country, from the West Coast to the South to the Northeast.
 
Hicks most recently served as the quarterbacks coach at St. Augustine’s University. During the 2013 season, Hicks helped freshman quarterback A.J. Gilford earn four weekly honors as well as a spot on the league’s all-rookie team.
 
Prior to his stint with the Falcons, Hicks served as an offensive coordinator for six consecutive years at two different schools.
 
Hicks’ offense proved effective in his first season at North Carolina Wesleyan in 2010. He helped the Battling Bishops lead their league in total offense (400.4 ypg), scoring offense (30.4 ppg), rushing offense (192.0 ypg) and passing offense (208.4 ypg). Hicks was able to achieve this success despite starting a true freshman, Jordan Vann, at quarterback. Vann was named as the league’s offensive rookie of the year with Hicks’ assistance and would also claim an all-conference award.
 
Hicks produced a string of strong offenses at Delta State University as the Statesmen produced at least 410 yards per game in each of his three seasons while racking up 11 all-league honors on offense. In each of his first two seasons with Delta State, he helped the team to 10-2 records as the Statesmen not only reached, but won a game, in the NCAA Division II playoffs. In 2008, the Statesmen ranked fourth nationally in passing offense (328.3 ypg), sixth in total offense (471.1 ypg) and 16th in scoring offense (36.3 ppg) under Hicks. Hicks also had Delta State finish among the top 15 nationally in total offense (469.8 ypg) in his first year with the program, which was an improvement of more than 93 yards per game from the season prior to his arrival.
 
Hicks also boasts prior experience at the FCS level as he coached quarterbacks with Texas State before the Bobcats moving to the FBS level. Under Hicks’ guidance, quarterback Barrick Nealy broke Texas State’s single-season mark for passing yards (3,129) in 2003, a record that stands to this day. With Nealy leading the way, Texas State led the Southland Conference and ranked seventh nationally in total offense (443.4 ypg) in 2003 despite facing two FBS schools during the season.
 
Prior to Texas State, and a one-year stint as a defensive coordinator, Hicks helped the Cal Lutheran offense improve upon taking it over. The Kingsmen averaged 26.1 points per game in 1999, but Hicks’ entrance as offensive coordinator soon improved that mark. After Cal Lutheran averaged 33.7 points per game in 2000, it then exploded in 2001 as the Kingsmen ranked third nationally in passing offense (348.1 ypg) and 11th in total offense (481.6 ypg) while averaging 35 points per game.
 
Hicks started his coaching career, and his track of offensive success, at Emporia State University. During the 1997 season with the Hornets, Hicks coached quarterbacks and wide receivers and helped the team post single-season school records for points (465 – 42.3 ppg) and total offense (5,846 – 531.5 ypg) that still stand.
 
Before entering the coaching profession, Hicks was a two-time all-conference honoree at offensive line for Washington & Jefferson. In his four years with the Presidents, the team posted a record of 43-6, won four conference championships and made two runs to the national title game.
 
A native of Weirton, W.Va., Hicks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Washington & Jefferson in 1996.