Gene Bissell

Franklin Gene Bissell (April 12, 1926 – January 28, 2016) was an American football player and coach.[2] He served as the head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan University from 1952 to 1961 and again from 1963 to 1978, compiling a record of 115–119–7.

Gene Bissell
Biographical details
Born(1926-04-12)April 12, 1926
Akron, Ohio
DiedJanuary 28, 2016(2016-01-28) (aged 89)
Salina, Kansas
Playing career
1948Heidelberg
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1950–1951Kansas Wesleyan (assistant)
1952–1961Kansas Wesleyan
1963–1978Kansas Wesleyan
Head coaching record
Overall115–119–7
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 KCAC (1956–1957, 1969, 1971)
Awards
NAIA Hall of Fame (1991)
Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2019)[1]

Playing career

Bissell entered Heidelberg College and graduated after three years. While at Heidelberg, he was played defensive tackle and also was a punter under head coach Paul Hoernemann. Bissell started for three-years and was co-captain of the undefeated 1948 Ohio Athletic Conference championship team. Bissell also lettered in basketball two years and pitched for the baseball squad.[3]

Coaching career

A graduate of Heidelberg College, Bissell started his career at Kansas Wesleyan University as an assistant football coach in 1950. In 1952, he was named the 13th head football coach at [[Kansas Wesleyan. He also coached track and was an assistant basketball coach, in addition to teaching a full academic schedule. His record as the head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan was 115–119–7. His Coyotes won four KCAC championships. He died on January 28, 2016 at the age of 89.[4]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1952–1961)
1952 Kansas Wesleyan 5–42–46th
1953 Kansas Wesleyan 3–5–13–3–1
1954 Kansas Wesleyan 5–3–14–2–1
1955 Kansas Wesleyan 6–35–2
1956 Kansas Wesleyan 8–17–01st
1957 Kansas Wesleyan 8–16–11st
1958 Kansas Wesleyan 4–4–13–4T–4th
1959 Kansas Wesleyan 3–5–13–3–14th
1960 Kansas Wesleyan 4–4–14–4–1
1961 Kansas Wesleyan 4–54–5
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1963–1978)
1963 Kansas Wesleyan 3–63–6T–7th
1964 Kansas Wesleyan 3–63–6T–6th
1965 Kansas Wesleyan 3–63–6T–7th
1966 Kansas Wesleyan 2–72–7
1967 Kansas Wesleyan 6–36–3
1968 Kansas Wesleyan 7–27–2
1969 Kansas Wesleyan 8–25–01st (North)W KCAC Championship Game
1970 Kansas Wesleyan 7–23–23rd (North)
1971 Kansas Wesleyan 8–18–01st
1972 Kansas Wesleyan 3–5–13–4–16th
1973 Kansas Wesleyan 2–81–79th
1974 Kansas Wesleyan 2–82–6T–7th
1975 Kansas Wesleyan 5–55–3T–2nd
1976 Kansas Wesleyan 3–72–68th
1977 Kansas Wesleyan 2–7–12–5–1
1978 Kansas Wesleyan 1–91–7
Kansas Wesleyan: 115–119–797–98–6
Total:115–119–7
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. Eldridge, Taylor (May 30, 2019). "Nick Collison, Warren Jabali headline 2019 class for Kansas Sports Hall of Fame". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  2. Cook, R.C. (1959). Who's who in American Education: A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Living Educators of the United States. 19. Who's Who in American Education. ISSN 0083-9418. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  3. "Dr. Franklin Bissell (bio)". Heidelberg College. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  4. "Longtime beloved coach Gene Bissell has died at age 89". Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
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