Jesuit Dallas Athletics

Coach Hickman will return to Jesuit in 2024 for his 14th season at the helm for the Rangers, and his 20th year overall with the Jesuit Dallas football program. Born and raised in Houston, Hickman played college football at Texas Christian University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. 

Hickman reached a personal milestone on Oct. 13, 2023, securing his 100th career victory with a 29-7 win over Berkner. The Rangers would secure the 13th bi-district championship in program history with a dominant, 20-7 road win over Arlington Bowie. Jesuit placed five members of the team on the all-district first team list, and saw then-junior Noah McGough '25 earn District Special Teams Player of the Year honors.

Jesuit captured the 10th UIL Bi-District Championship in program history in 2022, securing its berth in the second round with a 41-14 win over Arlington. The Rangers closed out the season with a 9-3 record, marking the 11th time in 12 seasons that Hickman has led the Blue and Gold to seven or more wins. Charlie Schmidt ’23 was named the District Offensive Player of the Year, while Cade Gill ’25 secured Sophomore of the Year plaudits.

The 2021 season saw Jesuit capture the fourth district championship in program history and the third of Hickman’s tenure with an unblemished, 7-0 run through league play. Robert Fitzgerald ’22 ended the season by earning the third all-state honor of his career and the District 7-6A Most Valuable Player award, and Hickman concluded the season by being named the District Coach of the Year. 

In 2019, Hickman sparked Jesuit to record one of the most dramatic turnaround seasons in Texas history as the Rangers finished the regular season with a 6-4 record before upsetting reigning state champion Longview, 27-25, in the area round. Led by Under Armour All-American EJ Smith ‘20, the Rangers saw 19 members of the team land on the all-district team, including Smith and Branson Hickman ’20, who were named unanimous first team selections. 

The 2017 postseason saw the Rangers clinch the bi-district title with a 79-55 win over Lakeview Centennial on Nov. 17, setting a new program scoring record in the process. In 2015, Hickman led the Rangers to their first district title since 2004 in a season highlighted by a 24-21 win over Skyline on Oct. 2. The comeback win snapped the Raiders’ 49-game district winning streak, served as the third game of a 15-game district winning streak that lasted until 2016 and provided Jesuit with the first of back-to-back district championships. 

During his time as head coach, Hickman’s teams have qualified for the postseason in 11 of 12 seasons and he has coached 13 student-athletes to 25 total all-state awards. Holding an 96-47 record during his time at Jesuit, Hickman ranks second in program coaching wins behind Jesuit Dallas Hall of Famer Gary Pasqua ’55. 

At TCU, Hickman was an All-Southwest Conference Team selection at offensive tackle. He earned the Most Conscientious Award during his senior season, helping TCU clinch a share of the SWC Championship with a 7-4 record and play in the 1994 Independence Bowl. Hickman first arrived at Jesuit in 2001, coaching the offensive line while serving as the team’s strength and conditioning coach. 

After a five-year stint with the Blue and Gold, Hickman became an offensive coordinator in the public school system before returning to Jesuit in 2010, becoming the ninth head coach in program history. 

“The students, administration, faculty and alumni make Jesuit a very special place,” commented Hickman. “Jesuit is unique in both everything we stand for as a School and in the way it develops young men.”

Coach Hickman has been married to his wife, Amy, for 24 years. They live in McKinney with their son Branson ’20, and daughter Avery. Branson recently concluded a stellar four-year career at SMU, and is awaiting his next collegiate destination, capping a strong run for the Mustangs by earning a spot onto the Remington Pre-Season Watchlist and the All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) second team. The Hickman family are members of Saint Jude’s Catholic Community in Allen. 

The Brandon Hickman File

Updated 02-12-24