In 1984, Bicknell coached his Boston College Eagles team to a 10–2 mark including a victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Bicknell's son, Jack Jr., was the center for BC at the time of Flutie's miracle pass.
In October 2003 he was named head coach of the Scottish Claymores, a franchise which in 2005 was relocated to Germany as Hamburg Sea Devils, as rival to the local semi-pro Hamburg Blue Devils which had won several German and European titles.
His team posted a league-best 8–2 record in 2001 before losing World Bowl IX to the Berlin Thunder in Amsterdam.
On 28 March 2007, at age 69, Bicknell stepped down as head coach of the Hamburg Sea Devils, citing health issues as the reason for his resignation.