Pat Hickman is in his first season as the chief of staff for Utah State’s football program. The 2025 campaign will be his 18th working for head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
With Utah State, Hickman oversees all facets of roster management for the program and works with the director of scouting in planning recruiting visits and roster management. He serves as a liaison with many of USU’s corporate partners for recruiting events.
Hickman came to Utah State after spending the 2024 season as the chief of staff at New Mexico. He helped the Lobos to a 5-7 record, marking the program’s most wins in eight years. Their season was highlighted by a 38-35 victory against No. 19 Washington State, snapping a 26-game losing streak against nationally ranked teams. The UNM victory was its first win over a top-20 team since 1994 and its first non-conference win against a top-20 opponent since 1940.
Before his time at New Mexico, Hickman spent two seasons with BYU as the director of operations in 2023 and the director of recruiting in 2022.
Hickman worked with Mendenhall at Virginia as the director of player development (2016-17) and director of scouting (2018-21). He oversaw roster management and worked with the operations director on recruiting visits while overseeing many facets of Virginia’s community service programs.
Hickman’s first stint with BYU coincided with Mendenhall becoming the head coach, spending 10 years (2006-15) as director of operations and director of player development. Along with handling budgeting, working with scheduling, practice planning and all facets of travel, Hickman oversaw many of the developmental duties with the roster, including academics and community service.
Hickman started in college athletics administration in 2002, marking a four-year run at Boise State in facility management and operations and helping the Broncos host several NCAA events.
Hickman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health promotion from Boise State in 2001 and earned his master’s in athletic administration from Idaho State in 2005. He is married to the former Celeste Fruean, and they have two children, Jared and Malia.
PAT HICKMAN FILE
Coaching History
2025- Utah State – Chief of Staff
2024 New Mexico – Chief of Staff
2023 BYU – Director of Operations
2022 BYU – Director of Recruiting
2018-21 Virginia – Director of Scouting
2016-17 Virginia – Director of Player Development
2006-15 BYU – Director of Operations and Player Development/HS Relations
2002-05 Boise State – Facility Management and Operations
Bowl Games (15)
Virginia (4): 2021 Fenway Bowl*; 2019 Orange Bowl; 2018 Belk Bowl; 2017 Military Bowl
BYU (11): 2022 New Mexico Bowl; 2015 Las Vegas Bowl; 2014 Miami Beach Bowl; 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl; 2012 Poinsettia Bowl; 2011 Armed Forces Bowl; 2010 New Mexico Bowl; 2009 Las Vegas Bowl; 2008 Las Vegas Bowl; 2007 Las Vegas Bowl; 2006 Las Vegas Bowl
*Not Contested
Conference Championships (2)
BYU (2) – Mountain West: 2006, 2007
Division Championships (1)
Virginia (1) – ACC Coastal: 2019
Education
2005 Idaho State – Athletic Administration (Master’s)
2001 Boise State – Health Promotion (Bachelor’s)
Family
Wife, Celeste, and children, Jared and Malia
