Layton Hickel is in his fourth season coaching the defensive line at Fort Hays State in 2025 and it is his fifth season overall as an assistant for the Tigers after serving in the role right after completing his playing career back in 2013.
After his initial stint as an assistant at FHSU in 2013, Hickel served as an assistant coach at the Hays High School for eight years. He came back to Fort Hays State as an assistant in 2022.
Hickel has coached seven All-MIAA selections on the defensive line since returning to FHSU. Myles Menges earned the distinction three times under Hickel (2022, 2023, 2024) as a defensive lineman, while Parrish Terry and Jason Wallace earned the honor in 2023 and Gaven Haselhorst and Demitri Scott earned the honor in 2024. Menges was a four-time All-MIAA selection overall after earning honors as a linebacker in 2021.
Hickel helped coach Myles Menges to All-America honors in 2024, ultimately receiving a first-team selection as a defensive lineman by the AFCA. He was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and was also a finalist for the annual Cliff Harris Award, given to the top small college defensive player in the country.
Hickel was a member of the Fort Hays State University football team for five years as a linebacker. He started all 22 games over his final two years and appeared in 44 games during his career, making 30 starts. Hickel earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors as a senior, leading the team in tackles with 101. He finished his career ranked fourth in career tackles for the NCAA Division II era at Fort Hays State with 294.
Hickel played his prep career at Claflin High School, where he was an all-league and all-district selection at linebacker and all-league selection running back. He was a participant in the Kansas 8-Man All-Star Game.
A native of Claflin, Kan., Hickel graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2013 with a degree in General Studies. He and his wife Kayla have two children, daughter Lyndon and son Jax.
