Jon Heacock - Football Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

Jon Heacock

Title:
Defensive Coordinator
Email:
jheacock@iastate.edu
Phone:
515-294-6721

Follow @Coach_Heacock | Audio Pronunciation

Jon Heacock is in his 10th season as defensive coordinator at Iowa State, establishing the Cyclones as one of the best defensive units nationally in his tenure in Ames.

Heacock has 40 years of coaching experience, serving as a head coach at Youngstown State (2001-09) and defensive coordinator stints at Youngstown State (1992-96, 2000), Indiana (1997-99), Kent State (2011-12) and Toledo (2014-15).

Heacock was named a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2017 and was again a nominee for the award in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Heacock’s imprint on the Cyclone defense has been evident, utilizing multiple schemes – 3-4 and 4-3 –to confound the high-powered Big 12 offenses.

Behind Heacock’s ability to limit opposing offenses efficiency, the Cyclones have thrived as a team, earning bowl berths in seven of the last eight seasons and making regular appearances in the national rankings. ISU has won 13 games against nationally-ranked opponents during Heacock's tenure alongside head coach Matt Campbell.

Iowa State has ranked second (20.9- 2017), first (22.9- 2018), third (25.9- 2019), second (21.4- 2020), third (20.5, 2021), first (20.2, 2022) and third (22.8, 2023) in the Big 12 in scoring defense during his tenure, all totals among the Top 50 nationally.

ISU’s total defense numbers have been just as stout. ISU was third in the Big 12 in total defense (366.2) in 2017, second in the league in 2018 (349.2) and 2020 (340.4) before leading the conference in 2022 (285.6). In 2023, ISU was second in total defense (363.2).

In 2024, ISU posted the greatest season in school history, finishing 11-3 overall as it won double-digit games for the first time in program history. The Cyclones reached the program's second Big 12 Championship game and went on to defeat Miami in a thrilling Pop-Tarts Bowl.

The Cyclone defense had seven players earn All-Big 12 recognition, led by second-team picks Malik Verdon and Jontez Williams. ISU allowed just 22.9 points, the eighth-straight season yielding less than 26.0 points per game, one of 11 teams to do so nationally during that stretch. The Cyclones were first nationally in passing defense, allowing just 165.6 yards per game.

The Cyclones also picked off 15 passes in 2024, one of just six teams nationally to intercept 15 or more passes in each of the last two seasons.

The 2024 Cyclones shut out Houston, the first road conference shutout since 1971.

Iowa State returned to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in 2023, posting a 7-6 overall record and a 6-3 mark against Big 12 foes. For the first time in school history, ISU won four-straight road games in a single season. Despite starting just two seniors, Heacock's defensive unit remained a force. It ranked among the top three in the Big 12 in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense (134.2), while also ranking among the top-half of the league in passing defense (228.9).

The Cyclones were 10th nationally with 16 interceptions, five of which came from sophomore safety Jeremiah Cooper (sixth nationally). Cornerback T.J. Tampa earned All-Big 12 and All-American honors, while Cooper and fellow safety Beau Freyler were also All-Big 12.

The 2022 defensive unit was perhaps the most stout under Heacock, leading the league in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense (107.3) and passing defense (178.2). The Cyclones were just the third team in Big 12 history to lead the league in all four defensive categories in the same season.

Nationally, the Cyclones ranked fourth in total defense and were among the top-20 in passing defense (10^th), rushing defense (14^th) and scoring defense (18^th). Opponents averaged just 7.6 points (6^th) and 114.5 yards (T-1^st) in the second half of games.

Defensive end Will McDonald IV tied the Big 12 career record with 34.0 sacks while helping the Cyclone defense hold its opponents to fewer than 400 yards of total offense in all 12 games in 2022 and the final 15 games of his career.

In 2021, Heacock’s defense was second in the Big 12 and ninth nationally in total defense at 310.5, only allowing two teams to amass 350 yards of offense en route to the school’s lowest total defensive output since 1984.

ISU also equaled its season record for sacks (33) and ranked ninth in the nation in passing defense (187.8) in 2021.

The 2020 season was historic in many ways. Iowa State finished the regular season in first place in the Big 12 standings, made the Big 12 Championship game and qualified for a New Year’s Six bowl for the first time in school history.

The Cyclones capped off the season with a 34-17 win over Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, shutting out the Ducks in the second half.

ISU’s eight conferences wins and nine overall wins eclipsed or tied school records, and the Cyclones earned their highest ranking in school history during the season (#6) and postseason (#9).

Heacock’s defense excelled in 2020, especially down the stretch where it allowed a measly 16 points after intermission in the last five games. ISU was stout against the run, limiting opponents to just 103.1 rushing yards per game to lead the Big 12 and rank eighth nationally.

A shut out over Kansas State (45-0) helped the Cyclones have the lowest scoring defense total (20.2) in the Big 12 (league games only).

In 2019, Heacock’s defense ranked in the upper half of the league in total defense (369.3) and tied for 19^th nationally in fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (13). ISU also tallied the third-best TFL total (85) and the eighth-best season sack total (28) in school history.

The 2018 Cyclone defensive unit never missed a beat under Heacock’s leadership. ISU led the Big 12 in rushing defense (115.0) and tied the school record for sacks in a season with 33, ranking 39^th nationally in sacks per game (2.5).

ISU was 15^th nationally in red zone defense (76.1 percent) and allowed a Big 12-low 10 rushing touchdowns, tying for eighth nationally, as the Cyclones went 8-5, made a trip to the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Heacock’s work with safety Greg Eisworth in 2018 was instrumental in helping the junior college transfer earn All-Big 12 First Team honors and Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year accolades.

Eisworth is the first Cyclone in school history earn All-Big 12 First Team honors three times and was joined later by McDonald in accomplishing the feat.

Heacock’s defenders produced historic numbers in 2017, helping Iowa State to an 8-5 record and a victory in the 2017 Liberty Bowl over Memphis.

The improvement of the ISU defense in 2017 was simply amazing. The Cyclones ranked second in the Big 12 and 26^th nationally in scoring defense (20.9), and ranked third in the Big 12 in total defense (366.2).

It had been over 10 years since the Cyclones ended a season with under 400 yards of total defense.

Once Big 12 play began, ISU was even better, ranking second in the league in scoring defense (18.9) and total defense (357.2) in conference games only.

ISU allowed only 68 points after intermission in its 10 conference games, giving up on average a meager 6.8 points in the second half.

ISU, which also led the league in passing defense (213.9), broke its school record for tackles for loss in a season under Heacock’s direction. His swarming defense registered 96 TFL to rank second in the Big 12 and 16^th nationally.

A total of 41 Cyclone defenders have earned some sort of all-conference recognition in the last six seasons, including All-Americans Joel Lanning (LB in 2017), JaQuan Bailey (DE in 2020), Mike Rose (LB in 2020), Will McDonald IV (DE in 2021) and T.J. Tampa (DB in 2023).

Rose, who was the 2020 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, led the Big 12, tied for third nationally and had the most interceptions in school history by a linebacker with five.

McDonald IV, who led the Big 12 in sacks in both 2020 (10.5) and 2021 (11.5), is ISU’s all-time career sack leader (34.0). He was a first team All-American by the FWAA in 2021 after establishing himself as one of the nation’s best pass-rushers.

Seven of his former Cyclone defensive players – Jamal Perry (CB), Willie Harvey (LB), Jake Hummel (LB), Anthony Johnson Jr. (DB), McDonald IV (DE), Enyi Uwazurike (DL) and T.J. Tampa (DB) – played in the NFL.

In his nine seasons in Ames, Heacock’s defensive unit has six of the top seven TFL seasons in school history. The Cyclones have also tied the school mark for sacks in a game (seven vs. Oklahoma State and West Virginia in 2018) and TFL in a game (16 vs. Oklahoma State in 2018) under his direction.

Heacock held the title of Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator at Toledo from 2014-15, shaping the Toledo defense into one of the best units in the Mid-American Conference. In his two years at UT, the Rockets appeared in a pair of bowl games, won 19 games and shared two MAC West Conference crowns.

In 2015, the Rockets were ranked in the AP Top-25 for most of the season and were at the top of the MAC defensive statistical categories, ranking No. 1 in scoring defense (20.8) and second in rushing defense (114.2). Five Rocket defenders earned All-MAC accolades, including a pair of first-teamers in Orion Jones (defensive tackle) and Cheatham Norrils (cornerback).

The Rockets ranked No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference in rushing defense (116.2 yards per game) in 2014 after ranking fifth the season prior (170.4). Toledo’s defense held opponents to 20 points or fewer in five games, helping the Rockets earn a 9-4 record, 7-1 in MAC play.

Four Rockets earned All-MAC honors in 2014, including linebacker Junior Sylvestre, who made first-team All-MAC for the second straight season.

Heacock returned to Toledo after spending one season as the defensive backs coach at Purdue (2013).

Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Kent State from 2011-12. Under Heacock, the Golden Flashes’ defense had 38 takeaways in 2012, second among all FBS schools, and an FBS-best +1.62 turnover margin. The Flashes finished with an 11-3 record in 2012, including a perfect 8-0 mark in the Mid-American Conference. They were in the upper half of the MAC in nearly every defensive statistical category, including second in rushing defense and fourth in scoring defense.

In 2011, Heacock’s defense was seventh in the FBS in fumbles recovered and turnover margin, 10th in turnovers gained, 18th in tackles for loss and 21st in total defense.

Prior to joining KSU, Heacock spent nine seasons as the head coach at Youngstown State, which included a 2006 run to the national semifinals in the Football Championship Subdivision. He was named the Gateway Conference Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006, and ended his tenure with a 60-44 overall record. He was also named the American Football Coaches Association’s Division I-AA Region Four Coach of the Year in both seasons and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award.

In addition to serving as the head coach at YSU, Heacock also served as the Penguins’ defensive coordinator under Jim Tressel for six years (1992-96, 2000) and defensive backs coach for an additional year (1991), which included Division I-AA national championships in 1991, 1993 and 1994.

In between his stints on the YSU staff, Heacock served as the defensive coordinator at Indiana from 1997-99.

A native of Beloit, Ohio, Heacock graduated from West Branch High School in 1979. He played college football at Muskingum College, graduating in 1983 with a degree in health and physical education.

In 1984, he served on the football coaching staff at Steubenville High School, where he helped the team to an Ohio Division II State Championship. Heacock then served as the defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, and secondary coach at West Liberty University from 1985 to 1987.

The next two seasons, he was a graduate assistant on Bo Schembechler’s staff at the University of Michigan, where he worked with both the defensive backs and special teams during a stretch in which Michigan won two Big Ten Conference titles and the 1989 Rose Bowl.

Heacock and his wife, Trescia, have a son, Jace, and daughter, Adelyn.

Coaching Experience
2019-pres. Iowa State – Defensive Coordinator
2016-18 Iowa State – Defensive Coordinator, Safeties
2014-15 Toledo – Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Safeties
2013 Purdue - Secondary
2011-12 Kent State - Defensive Coordinator, Cornerbacks
2001-09 Youngstown State - Head Coach
2000 Youngstown State - Defensive Coordinator
1997-99 Indiana - Defensive Coordinator
1992-96 Youngstown State - Defensive Coordinator
1991 Youngstown State - Defensive Backs
1990 Army – Assistant Coach
1988-89 Michigan - Graduate Assistant
1985-87 West Liberty - Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line, Secondary
1984 Steubenville High School - Assistant Coach
1983 Toledo - Graduate Assistant

36846