Bicknell & Dixon Named To Staff…

Tim Dixon

Prior to SIU, Dixon coached two years at both Feather River College (Quincy, Calif.) and two years at the University of Pacific, a member of the Big West Conference.

In his four years at SIU as the Saluki pitching coach, Dixon coached seven draft picks (Cody Adams, Jordan Powell, Kyle Catto, David Kington, Byant George, Ryan Bradley, and Nathen Forer), a freshman all-American (Bryant George) and four all-conference honorees (George-three times, Adams, Adam Curynski and Forer). Adams was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, becoming SIU’s highest draft pick since 2004. In 2009, George became SIU’s all-time leader in saves as a junior and finished his career with 30 saves.

While at Pacific, he handled the pitching staff and, in those years, had three pitchers selected in the MLB Draft. Before joining the college coaching ranks, Dixon served as the pitching coach at Archbishop Mitty High School in Saratoga, Calif. Mitty won back-to-back West Catholic League Championships and was ranked as high as seventh in the country during the 2002 season. Dixon and his staff helped send several players to Division I programs.

As a player, Dixon pitched for six seasons at the professional level with the Expos, Brewers and Red Sox organizations. Drafted in the 14th round of the 1995 MLB Amateur Draft, he went on to spend three of his six years in Triple A with the Expos and Red Sox. While pitching for the Harrisburg Senators — the AA affiliate of the Expos — Dixon won back-to-back Eastern League Championships, finishing his career with an overall 3.30 ERA and a 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

As a student-athlete at Cal State Fullerton, Dixon and the Titans won the 1995 Division I National Championship, beating USC, 11-5. Dixon pitched the semi-final game in Omaha, shutting out Tennessee, 11-0. The (combined) shutout was the last shutout thrown in the College World Series for eight years until Kyle Baker of Georgia Tech (combined) for a shutout in an 11-0 victory over South Carolina in the 2002 CWS. Dixon was 13-0 overall with a 3.43 ERA in 1995. Dixon still holds the record for most victories without a loss at Fullerton.

Dixon received his bachelor’s degree from National University in 2001 and master’s in sports psychology from Optimal Performance Institute in 2008.

“To be a part of what the Air Force Academy represents is truly an honor and privilege,” Dixon said. “I want to thank everyone that was involved in the hiring process and I am excited to be part of the greatest institution in the country! I look forward to being around such high quality young men and women who have made the ultimate decision to serve our country. Alongside everyone involved with Falcon baseball, I look forward to raising the expectations of the program to the standards of what the Air Force Academy and the Air Force represents.”

Toby Bicknell

Kazlausky has also named Toby Bicknell to his staff as an assistant coach.  Bicknell comes to the Academy after spending the last two seasons on the baseball staff at Davidson.

At Davidson, Bicknell handled several duties, working with the offense, coaching third base and instructing the infielders, outfielders and catchers on defense. Prior to his stint at Davidson, Bicknell served two years at Clemson as a volunteer assistant coach. Bicknell will serve similar duties at Air Force.

In his two years at Davidson, Bicknell developed several all-conference hitters. In 2010 Bicknell guided Andrew Barna to freshman All-American honors. In 2009 Bicknell worked with Zach Kayne, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 22nd round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The team batting average and fielding percentage for Davidson also improved under Bicknell’s guidance.

During his time at Clemson, Bicknell worked primarily with infielders and hitters along with coordinating summer camps at Clemson. The Tigers compiled a 70-51-1 record during his two years and he coached five players who were picked in the Major League Baseball draft.

Prior to his time at Clemson, Bicknell spent two years as an assistant coach at North Carolina-Pembroke. The Braves posted a record of 63-47 in those two years, received a national ranking as high as seventh, and posted back-to-back 30 win seasons for the first time in program history, while tying the school record for wins at 32. The 2006 team posted school records in seven offensive categories while also having six of its starters hit .315 or better. Defensively, the Braves set program records for fielding percentage, putouts and assists. Bicknell also coached All-American Jason Morales, who was eventually draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Bicknell spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons at nearby Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC. The 2003 Mustangs were Western North Carolina State Champions and NC 4A State runner-up. That team contained five future Division I players including former Wildcat Rob Wilson, and former North Carolina pitcher Robert Woodard, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 MLB Draft.

From 2000-2004 Bicknell was a part of the On Deck O’s where he coached 18 players that went on to play college baseball.

Between 1998-00, Bicknell served as an assistant coach at Providence Senior High School in Charlotte, while also assisting with the Post 235 Matthews American Legion Team.

Bicknell, who is entering his 13th year as a coach, has spent seven years in all coaching high school and traveling baseball in the Charlotte area. He has coached 30 high school players that have gone on to play college baseball (25 at the Division I level), including seven ACC Players, 10 Southern Conference players, and three that were drafted by MLB.

In five years at the collegiate level, Bicknell has coached 11 all-conference players, one Freshman All-American, and eight MLB draft picks. All totaled, Bicknell has tutored 11 MLB draft picks.

(Air Force Release)