Western New Mexico University Men's Football

Coach Billy Hickman will be entering year three with the Mustangs, serving as the Offensive Coordinator and Lineman Coach. Coach Hickman has five years of experience as an Offensive Coordinator. Hickman comes from DIII Luther College, in Decorah, IA, serving as the offensive coordinator from 2018-2020. In 2020, Coach Hickman had lead Luther to lead the conference in rushing for the second time under his leadership, increasing this string to seven years in a row.  Hickman was previously serving as offensive coordinator at NAIA Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas from 2010-17. He was named NAIA American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017 and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Assistant Coach of the Year in 2012. During his tenure at Tabor, he lead the football team to three consecutive KCAC championships (2015-17), and established 39 team and individual records, including the KCAC single season rushing record of 4,058 yards set in 2013.  He began his collegiate coaching career as the assistant offensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines from 2008-09.  Hickman’s collegiate athletic career began at Bakersfield College from 2002-03 where he was named All-Conference guard (2003). He was then recruited to play at Tabor College from 2005-07 earning All-Conference as a tackle (2007). Coach Hickman is originally from Bakersfield, California where he attended Bakersfield College and later transferred on to Tabor College to complete his bachelors and masters degree.

Delgado returns for his second season as Western New Mexico’s defensive line coach. Delgado comes to WNMU following 3 seasons at Hobart College. Where he coached both sides of the ball on the Offensive Line (’21) and Defensive Line (’22-23). As Offensive Line Coach, Delgado’s Offensive Line unit contributed to Hobart’s Offense leading the Liberty league in scoring offense, rushing offense, time of possession, and fewest sacks allowed (5) which was 3rd in the nation. In 2022-23, Delgado moved over to coach the Defensive Line. In 2 seasons, the defensive line boasted 4 All-Liberty League players, and the 2023 Liberty League’s individual Sack Leader, Conner Gunn. In the 2023 Season Hobart’s defense accumulated 26 sacks, leading the Liberty League. Prior to Hobart, Delgado spent two seasons on the coaching staff at Oberlin College. He was Yeomen’s defensive line coach in 2019 and the offensive line coach in 2020. Delgado spent the two seasons prior to that as the tight ends and offense quality control coach at Baldwin-Wallace University. Before embarking on his collegiate coaching career, Delgado was a volunteer coaches’ aide with the Cleveland Browns. His responsibilities with the NFL franchise included breaking down opponent films, charting formations and plays, and creating weekly preparation books. After his stint in Cleveland, Delgado worked as a Skill Development Coach for Football Combatives, who was founded by Joseph Kim who has 25+ years of NFL coaching experience. Most previously with the New England Patriots. Football Combatives Specializing in Pass Rush Skil Development for Current NFL Players. Delgado trained various NFL Defensive players, including 1st Round Draft Pick and 2 time Super Bowl Champion Danny Shelton, Super Bowl Champion, Rakeem Nunez Roaches, and 2nd Round Draft Pick, Emmanuel Ogbah. A 2016 graduate of Eastern Washington University, Delgado earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Delgado played on both sides of the ball as a Defensive Lineman and Offensive Lineman. As an offensive lineman, he helped the Eagles win three straight Big Sky Championships.  

Coach Chris Clift began his coaching tenure at Western New Mexico University in March of 2024, when he was named the Mustangs new Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach. Prior to WNMU, Clift was the defensive line coach at Wheeling University where he produced an all Mountain East Conference defensive end. Before his time at Wheeling, Clift was the defensive coordinator at Oberlin College. The Yeomen produced 10 takeaways and 12 sacks with three players having over 60 tackles. His defense produced an all conference selection at safety. Clift came to Oberlin after spending the previous two seasons at Luther College (IA) where he served as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. During his time with the Norse, Clift mentored a First-Team All-American Rivers Conference selection on the defensive line. Prior to Luther College, he served as the defensive line coach at Thomas More College (KY) in 2017. Under his tutelage, the Saints defensive line produced the Presidents Athletic Conference leader in sacks. Clift began his coaching career at Streetsboro High School (2006-17) where he coached football, wrestling and baseball. While at SHS, he served as the defensive coordinator (2012-17), coaching a unit that established 12 individual and team records. Clift Has also coached at Benedictine High School and John Carroll University. Clift played collegiately at John Carroll and Case Western Reserve University. Clift earned his Master of Education from Xavier University.