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Gene Bissell
Biographical details
Born (1926-04-12)April 12, 1926
Akron, Ohio
Died January 28, 2016(2016-01-28) (aged 89)
Salina, Kansas
Playing career
1948 Heidelberg
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1950–1951 Kansas Wesleyan (assistant)
1952–1961 Kansas Wesleyan
1963–1978 Kansas Wesleyan
Head coaching record
Overall 115–119–7
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 KCAC (1956–1957, 1969, 1971)
Awards
NAIA Hall of Fame (1991)
Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2019)

Franklin Gene Bissell (April 12, 1926 – January 28, 2016) was an American football player and coach. 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.

Playing career

Bissell entered Heidelberg College and graduated after three years. While at Heidelberg, he played defensive tackle and also was a punter under the 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.

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.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1952–1961)
1952 Kansas Wesleyan 5–4 2–4 6th
1953 Kansas Wesleyan 3–5–1 3–3–1 4th
1954 Kansas Wesleyan 5–3–1 4–2–1 T–3rd
1955 Kansas Wesleyan 6–3 5–2 T–2nd
1956 Kansas Wesleyan 8–1 7–0 1st
1957 Kansas Wesleyan 8–1 6–1 1st
1958 Kansas Wesleyan 4–4–1 3–4 T–4th
1959 Kansas Wesleyan 3–5–1 3–3–1 4th
1960 Kansas Wesleyan 4–4–1 4–4–1 T–5th
1961 Kansas Wesleyan 4–5 4–5 T–5th
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1963–1978)
1963 Kansas Wesleyan 3–6 3–6 T–7th
1964 Kansas Wesleyan 3–6 3–6 T–6th
1965 Kansas Wesleyan 3–6 3–6 T–7th
1966 Kansas Wesleyan 2–7 2–7 T–8th
1967 Kansas Wesleyan 6–3 6–3 T–3rd
1968 Kansas Wesleyan 7–2 7–2 2nd
1969 Kansas Wesleyan 8–2 5–0 1st (North) W KCAC Championship Game
1970 Kansas Wesleyan 7–2 3–2 3rd (North)
1971 Kansas Wesleyan 8–1 8–0 1st
1972 Kansas Wesleyan 3–5–1 3–4–1 6th
1973 Kansas Wesleyan 2–8 1–7 9th
1974 Kansas Wesleyan 2–8 2–6 T–7th
1975 Kansas Wesleyan 5–5 5–3 T–2nd
1976 Kansas Wesleyan 3–7 2–6 8th
1977 Kansas Wesleyan 2–7–1 2–5–1 7th
1978 Kansas Wesleyan 1–9 1–7 8th
Kansas Wesleyan: 115–119–7 97–98–6
Total: 115–119–7
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
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