Cecil graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1956 and during his time at Valley he was a four-year letterman in football.  Cecil participated in the Mineral Water Bowl in 1953, the Cigar Bowl in 1954, and the Tangerine Bowl in 1955.  Cecil joined the United States Army in 1956 and played two years of football at Fort Hood (TX), and Wiesbaden, Germany.

Cecil started his coaching career in 1958 at Marshall High School and was named the Head Football Coach in 1960 and in 1983 entered his 24th with the Owl’s.  As of July 1983 his career coaching record was 155 wins, 53 loses, and 13 ties, this includes seven Conference Championships, five state play-off teams with the 1968 team and 1981 team finishing as state Runner-Up.  Cecil’s coaching honors include the 1981 and 1982 KMZU Coach of the Year, 1981 Western Missouri Coaches Association 3A Coach of the Year, and in 1981 Cecil was selected as Head Coach of the Lions Club All-Star Game in Jefferson City.

Cecil and his wife Coradean have two children Denise and Kyle.