Chet Henicle will begin his 14th season on the Huskies’ coaching staff in 2017 and also his fifth season as the defensive coordinator. Henicle also handles the recruiting coordinator duties for the program.
In 2016, the Huskies’ defense, despite being ravaged by injuries, managed to finish in the top five in the PSAC in several categories including second in passing defense (193.2) and fifth in scoring defense (23.7). Four of Bloomsburg’s six All-PSAC selections - Andrew Harris, Chris Gary, Joe Wetty, and Jerrin Toomey - came from the defensive side of the ball. Gary went on to earn Second Team All-American honors from Don Hansen. Â
2015 proved to be another strong season for the Huskies’ defense as Bloomsburg ranked second in the PSAC in scoring defense (19.7) and second in the league in total defense (320.8). Five defensive players earned All-PSAC East First or Second Team nods at year’s end including Joe Wetty, who was the team’s only First Team member on the defensive side of the ball.
In 2014, the Huskies’ defense was among the best in the nation, setting the school record for turnovers caused in a season with 43. The Huskies allowed just 15.4 points per game, a figure that ranked sixth in Division II. Bloomsburg ranked first in the nation in fumbles recovered, fifth in interceptions, seventh in third down defense, and 12th in total defense - holding opponents to less than 295 yards per game. Henicle also coached PSAC East and Daktronics Super Region 1 Defensive Athlete of the Year and All-America selection, Justin Shirk, and seven all-conference selections on the defensive side of the ball.
Henicle’s defense produced four All-PSAC performers in 2013 including All-American and NFL Draft selection Larry Webster.
A 1995 Bloomsburg graduate, Henicle was an All-American in football and baseball. During his career, he was recognized as the school’s Undergraduate and Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
As a safety on the Bloomsburg football team, Henicle was named the team’s overall MVP and defensive MVP along with garnering All-Region and All-PSAC honors twice. As a junior, he finished second in the nation in interceptions with eight. As a senior, he was named an All-American and was chosen to play in the Snow Bowl - the top Division II all-star game in the country.
As a catcher and centerfielder on the baseball team, Henicle was named team MVP twice along with garnering All-PSAC honors three times. As a sophomore, he was fifth in the nation in batting with a .456 average. He was named MVP of the 1995 PSAC Championship Tournament while captaining that same squad to the only Division II World Series appearance in school history. He is still the career record holder for doubles in a season and in a career.
Prior to his return to Bloomsburg, Henicle spent three seasons at Wingate University where he was the defensive backs coach along with recruiting coordinator, football facilities director, and camp director.
Before his stint at Wingate, Henicle spent four years at Lenoir-Rhyne University - two years as receivers coach and two years as the defensive backs coach. He started his college coaching career in 1996 at Bloomsburg where he was in charge of the receivers. Prior to beginning his college coaching experience he spent one season at Waynesboro High School coaching the running backs and defensive backs at the varsity level and coordinating the offense of the junior varsity team.
Henicle was inducted into the Bloomsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in the fall of 2009.
A native of Waynesboro, Pa., Henicle and his wife, Jane Marie, reside in Bloomsburg.
