Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock retires, ending a coaching career after 4-plus decades

Iowa State’s Heacock Retires After Distinguished Four-Decade Coaching Career

Veteran defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has announced his retirement from coaching football, concluding a storied career spanning more than 40 years. Heacock, who has been the architect of Iowa State’s formidable defense for the past decade, made the announcement Tuesday.

The 65-year-old Ohio native became widely recognized in college football circles for his innovative 3-3-5 defensive scheme that helped transform the Cyclones into a competitive force in the Big 12 Conference. His defensive acumen earned him finalist status for the prestigious Broyles Award in 2017, which honors college football’s top assistant coach. He was nominated for the same award from 2022 through 2025, underscoring his consistent excellence.

Heacock’s retirement comes amid significant transition for the Iowa State program. Earlier this month, head coach Matt Campbell departed to take the helm at Penn State after eight seasons in Ames. Heacock had been a loyal lieutenant to Campbell, serving as his top defensive assistant for 10 seasons at Iowa State and previously for two seasons at Toledo.

Prior to his tenure with Campbell, Heacock established himself as a successful head coach at Youngstown State, where he compiled a 60-44 record from 2001 to 2009. During his time leading the Penguins, he guided the FCS program to the national semifinals in 2006 and twice earned conference coach of the year honors.

Heacock’s coaching journey began in 1983 at Toledo, where he served as a graduate assistant. His early career included a formative period at Michigan under legendary coach Bo Schembechler, providing him with valuable experience that would shape his coaching philosophy. He later flourished as defensive coordinator under Jim Tressel at Youngstown State before eventually taking over as head coach of the program.

College football analysts credit Heacock with developing one of the most adaptive defensive systems in modern college football. His 3-3-5 alignment, featuring three down linemen, three linebackers, and five defensive backs, became particularly effective against the spread offenses prevalent in the Big 12. The scheme’s flexibility allowed Iowa State to compete against more talent-rich programs, often keeping games close through defensive discipline and tactical innovation.

During his tenure at Iowa State, Heacock’s defenses frequently ranked among the conference leaders in numerous statistical categories. His ability to develop overlooked recruits into NFL-caliber defenders became a hallmark of his coaching approach. Several of his former players have gone on to professional careers, further cementing his reputation as an exceptional defensive mind and player developer.

Colleagues throughout college football have praised Heacock for his tactical knowledge, teaching ability, and professional integrity. His retirement represents the departure of one of the sport’s most respected defensive strategists.

Iowa State now faces the challenge of replacing both Campbell and Heacock as the program enters a new era. The defensive coordinator position will be particularly crucial to fill, as Heacock’s scheme and teaching methods have become central to the team’s identity over the past decade.

As the coaching carousel continues to spin across college football, Heacock’s retirement stands out as the conclusion of a career marked by innovation, adaptability, and consistent success across multiple levels of competition. His influence will likely continue to be felt throughout college football as former assistants and players carry forward the tactical and philosophical lessons learned under his guidance.