Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock announced his retirement from coaching, per a statement on his social media. He coached football for 43 years.
“Well it’s the right time for this coach to hang up his whistle … 43 years,” Heacock wrote. “I’m so thankful, grateful and blessed to have worked alongside some of the finest players, support staff members and coaches in America! I’m certainly thankful and grateful that God chose me to be the defensive coordinator at Iowa State University for 10 years. Ames, Iowa State, the team, and Cyclone Nation: Man, we all did some special stuff together! Thanks to you all!”
With this news, Heacock will not join Matt Campbell and his growing staff at Penn State. Campbell left ISU for the Nittany Lions earlier this month.
“Always remember who you are, the name on the front of your jersey and the name on the back. If you have an opportunity to worship some way … do it. And always tell the people you love the most that you love them; there are no guarantees. Appreciate and love you all.”
Heacock began his coaching career in 1983 with Toledo and had many stints across college football. He was the head coach of Youngstown State from 2001-09, his only HC tenure.
Heacock went 60-44 at the school and won two conference titles in 2005 and ’06. That included a run to the FCS semifinals in 2006, earning a No. 4 overall ranking that season.
Right now, it appears that only a running backs coach and defensive coordinator are needed for Campbell’s Penn State staff. But, it is not yet official that the Lions will retain letterman Deion Barnes and Dan Connor to coach the defensive line and linebackers, respectively, per BlueWhite Illustrated’s Greg Pickel.