The University of Akron Athletics
Football
Eric Hickson
- Title:
- Running Backs
- Email:
- ehickson@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 972-7466
Follow Akron Football on Twitter
In 2016, sophomore Van Edwards led a plethora of rushers with 492 yards and three touchdowns on 100 carries, including a 100-yard performance in the win at Ball State. Junior Manny Morgan followed with 417 yards on 81 carries and had a 100-yard game in the win at Marshall. UA had high expectations for senior transfer Warren Ball led all rushers with 110 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in his Zips’ debut. While he suffered a season-ending injury at No. 10 Wisconsin, he will be back in 2017 to lead a veteran rushing corps.
In 2015, senior running back Conor Hundley led the Zips, rushing for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 202 carries. He finished his career at No. 11 in career rushing with 2,155 yards. Newcomer Donnell Alexander added depth with 499 yards and three touchdowns. Once again, the Zips utilized senior NT Cody Grice on short-yardage plays where he racked up 35 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries. He scored a career-best three touchdowns, all in the first half in the win over Savannah State.
Hickson joined the Zips after serving as the interim head coach, running backs coach, and outgoing recruiting coordinator at Garden City Community College in Kansas during the 2014 season. Â
Prior to joining the Busters, Hickson coached at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis for two seasons, serving as the head coach his last year. He coached the running backs and special steams at American Heritage High School in Florida for four seasons, mentoring several players who were recruited by Division I schools, including Sony Michel (Georgia), Walter Tucker (Miami, Fla.), Marken Michel (Massachusetts), and Henry Bussy (FAU).
From 2003-06, Hickson served as the assistant head coach at Coral Springs (Fla.) Charter School, coaching NFL players TE Evani Landi (USF/Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and CB Darius Butler (Connecticut/Indianapolis Colts).
The all-time leading rusher in Kansas State football history with 2,537 yards on 507 carries upon graduation, Hickson also set career records with 507 carries and 26 rushing touchdowns while posting 10 performances of 100-yards in his 42-game collegiate career. A three-year starter and four-time letterwinner for the Wildcats, he was the season’s leading rusher in 1995, 1997, and 1998. He was named All-Big 8 as a sophomore and was a two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection. The two-time team captain also played in the All-Star Gridiron Classic. A dual-sport athlete, Hickson also ran track at KSU, recording a 6.31 in 55-meter indoors.
Hickson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1999. In 2001, Hickson played for the XFL’s Birmingham Thunderbolts. He spent the 2002 season in the Arena Football League.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Hickson earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kansas State in 1998.
Hickson, 42 (born Oct. 25, 1974), and his wife Keisha have one son Eric, Jr., and a dog Diamond.
Hicksons Year-By-Year Coaching Experience
Years   School (Position)
2003-06Â Â Â Coral Springs Charter School (assistant head coach)
2007-11Â Â Â American Heritage High School (running backs | special teams)
2012Â Â Â Emmerich Manual High School (offensive coordinator | running backs)
2013Â Â Â Emmerich Manual High School (head coach)
2014Â Â Â Garden City Community College (interim head coach | running backs)
2015-Â Â Â Akron (running backs)
A former professional player with collegiate coaching experience, Eric Hickson enters his third season as the running backs coach at the University of Akron in 2017.
In 2015, senior running back Conor Hundley led the Zips, rushing for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 202 carries. He finished his career at No. 11 in career rushing with 2,155 yards. Newcomer Donnell Alexander added depth with 499 yards and three touchdowns. Once again, the Zips utilized senior NT Cody Grice on short-yardage plays where he racked up 35 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries. He scored a career-best three touchdowns, all in the first half in the win over Savannah State.
Hickson joined the Zips after serving as the interim head coach, running backs coach, and outgoing recruiting coordinator at Garden City Community College in Kansas during the 2014 season. Â
Prior to joining the Busters, Hickson coached at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis for two seasons, serving as the head coach his last year. He coached the running backs and special steams at American Heritage High School in Florida for four seasons, mentoring several players who were recruited by Division I schools, including Sony Michel (Georgia), Walter Tucker (Miami, Fla.), Marken Michel (Massachusetts), and Henry Bussy (FAU).
From 2003-06, Hickson served as the assistant head coach at Coral Springs (Fla.) Charter School, coaching NFL players TE Evani Landi (USF/Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and CB Darius Butler (Connecticut/Indianapolis Colts).
The all-time leading rusher in Kansas State football history with 2,537 yards on 507 carries upon graduation, Hickson also set career records with 507 carries and 26 rushing touchdowns while posting 10 performances of 100-yards in his 42-game collegiate career. A three-year starter and four-time letterwinner for the Wildcats, he was the season’s leading rusher in 1995, 1997, and 1998. He was named All-Big 8 as a sophomore and was a two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection. The two-time team captain also played in the All-Star Gridiron Classic. A dual-sport athlete, Hickson also ran track at KSU, recording a 6.31 in 55-meter indoors.
Hickson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1999. In 2001, Hickson played for the XFL’s Birmingham Thunderbolts. He spent the 2002 season in the Arena Football League.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Hickson earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kansas State in 1998.
Hickson, 42 (born Oct. 25, 1974), and his wife Keisha have one son Eric, Jr., and a dog Diamond.
Hicksons Year-By-Year Coaching Experience
Years   School (Position)
2003-06Â Â Â Coral Springs Charter School (assistant head coach)
2007-11Â Â Â American Heritage High School (running backs | special teams)
2012Â Â Â Emmerich Manual High School (offensive coordinator | running backs)
2013Â Â Â Emmerich Manual High School (head coach)
2014Â Â Â Garden City Community College (interim head coach | running backs)
2015-Â Â Â Akron (running backs)
2025 Zips Weekly with Joe Moorhead - Episode #13 - Bowling Green Recap - 11.20.25
Friday, November 21
2025 Zips Weekly with Joe Moorhead - Episode #12 - Kent State Recap - 11.14.25
Saturday, November 15
2025 Akron Zips Football Weekly Press Conference - Week #13 (Bowling Green Week) - 11/13/25
Thursday, November 13
2025 Akron Zips Football Post-Game Press Conference vs. Kent St. with Student-Athletes - 11/11/25
Wednesday, November 12
