In 2008-09, the Patriots experienced many first for the program and earned more national attention than ever before. DBU Basketball twice received votes for the National Top 25, and finished the season ranked #6 in the South Central Region. In the NCAA tournament, they advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals with an upset victory over the #13 nationally ranked University of Central Oklahoma. The Patriots finished the season in the Top 25 of seven statistical categories (W-L%; Scoring Offense; Scoring Margin; 3pt FG%; FT%; Assists/Game; and Steals/Game). In addition, they also received their first ever #1 National Ranking in the NCCAA and finished the year ranked #2 in the NCCAA National Poll for all Christian colleges.

During conference play, DBU finished second in the regular season and returned to the Heartland Conference tournament for the third straight year, advancing to the title game. The Patriots lead the Heartland Conference in Points; 3 point Field Goals Made; 3 point Field Goal Percentage; Assists; and Steals. For the 2nd straight year, DBU had the Heartland Conference’s Freshman of the Year, and they also had two individual players receive 2nd Team All-Conference Honors, as well as two Honorable Mention All-Conference awards. Off the court, the 2009 Patriots also had the highest team GPA of all Heartland Conference teams.

For his efforts, Coach Flickner was honored as the Heartland Conference Coach of the Year and the NCCAA Central Regional Coach of the Year for 2009.

In 2007-08, the Patriots finished the year strong by winning 12 of their last 14 games overall including a stretch of eight consecutive conference victories in the Heartland Conference to finish with 17 wins. That year, the Patriots lost in double overtime in the semi-finals of the NCCAA National Tournament.

In DBU's first season of NCAA basketball, Flickner led the Patriots to 14 wins and the semi-finals of the Heartland Conference tournament.  After being picked last in the conference preseason poll, Flickner guided the Patriots to a surprising season where they finished fourth in conference play in only their first year of the program.
 
Flickner came to DBU from the U.S. Naval Academy where he served as an assistant coach for the Midshipmen from 2003-05.  While at Navy, Flickner played a vital role in the daily operation of the men’s basketball program as an assistant coach and head coach of the junior varsity team.
 
Prior to his stint at Navy, Flickner served two years as Director of Basketball Operations and Administrative Assistant Coach for Coach Dale Layer at Colorado State University .  While there, the Rams made their first trip to the NCAA tournament in thirteen years after winning the Mountain West Conference tournament.
 
Before his time at Colorado State , Flickner worked as the assistant coach at Eastfield College (1998-01) in Mesquite, Texas.  During his three-year stay, he helped recruit and develop two All-Americans and led Eastfield College to a share of the 2001 Metro Athletic Conference Championship.
 
A native of Garland, Texas, Flickner graduated from Garland High School and went on to play at Eastfield College .  A point guard for Eastfield College from 1993-95, Flickner directed the Harvesters to the 1994 Metro Athletic Conference title.  An outstanding student, Flickner was named a Distinguished NJCAA Academic All-American.  He continued his education at the University of Kansas , where he served as a student manager from 1996-98 and assumed the head manager position his senior campaign.  While at Kansas, the Jayhawks produced a two-year 69-6 record, won back-to-back Big 12 Championships (1997,‘98) and five players went on to be drafted in the NBA, including the reigning NBA Finals MVP, Paul Pierce.
 
Flickner graduated with distinction from Kansas in May of 1998 with a degree in business administration.  He earned his Master of Arts Degree in Christian education at Dallas Theological Seminary in May of 2001 where he graduated with honors.  Blake and his wife Mary reside in Duncanville, Texas, with their son Isaiah and daughter Ruth. The Flickners attend Mansfield Bible Church.