Jon Heacock, one of the most influential defensive minds in modern college football, is calling it a career. The longtime Iowa State defensive coordinator officially announced his retirement Tuesday morning, ending a 10-year run in Ames that helped reshape not only the Cyclones’ identity, but also the defensive blueprint across the Big 12 and beyond.
At 65, Heacock steps away from the game after more than a decade alongside head coach Matt Campbell - a partnership that began at Toledo and flourished at Iowa State. While there was some speculation about him joining Campbell’s new staff at Penn State, Heacock made it clear he’s hanging up the headset.
“I’m so thankful, grateful and blessed to have worked alongside some of the finest players, support staff members and coaches in America,” Heacock wrote in a heartfelt farewell message. “Ames, Iowa State, the team, and Cyclone Nation: Man, we all did some special stuff together!”
And he’s not wrong. Heacock didn’t just coordinate a defense - he engineered a revolution.
After a rocky first year in Ames, he and Campbell pivoted hard, scrapping their traditional four-man front in favor of a 3-3-5 look that prioritized versatility, coverage depth, and the ability to disguise pressure. It was a bold move, especially in a conference known for high-octane offenses and track-meet Saturdays.
But it worked - and then some.
The 3-3-5 scheme, which relies on three down linemen to occupy blockers and a deep shell in the secondary to limit explosive plays, quickly became Iowa State’s calling card. It also became a model for other programs looking to survive - and thrive - in the modern spread era. Heacock’s defenses didn’t just hold their own in the Big 12; they often set the standard.
From 2016 to 2025, Iowa State ranked in the top three in the conference in scoring defense seven times and in total defense six times. In 2018 and 2022, the Cyclones led the Big 12 in scoring defense.
That 2022 unit was particularly special - leading the league in scoring, total, rushing, and passing defense. Only two other teams in Big 12 history had ever pulled that off.
Heacock’s legacy isn’t just in the numbers - though they’re impressive - but in the way he adapted, evolved, and ultimately changed the game. He didn’t cling to what he knew. He rebuilt his approach from the ground up, and in doing so, gave Iowa State a defensive identity that could punch well above its weight.
“Jon’s background was four-down, quarters, play a little blitz man on third down and away we go,” Campbell once said. “That’s what he had done for his entire life.
I go in there and say, ‘Hey, listen. We’ve got to change.
If we’re going to do this in this conference … we’re not better personnel-wise than everybody else, then we’re going to die a fast death.’”
That willingness to adapt became the bedrock of Iowa State’s most successful run in recent memory. And it wasn’t just about scheme.
Heacock was a teacher, a mentor, and a resource for coaches across the country. In his later years, he regularly met with other staffs to share ideas and break down his system.
He never claimed to invent the 3-3-5 - he just made it his own.
“There’s not any secrets in this game,” he once said. “I’m sure somebody was playing this kind of a defense a long time ago.
It just was new to us and new to me and our staff. It’s been a lot of fun.”
What’s Next for Penn State?
While Heacock won’t be making the move to Happy Valley, all eyes are now on who Matt Campbell will tab to run his defense at Penn State. One name that’s been circulating is D’Anton Lynn, USC’s current defensive coordinator and a former Nittany Lion cornerback. Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged the buzz this past weekend.
“Everybody prioritizes different things,” Riley said. “I don’t judge that.
I get it. But again, look at last year.
Penn State hired the D-coordinator from the team that won the national championship. These things happen.
Obviously, D’Anton has done a really good job here, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
Campbell has already brought four assistants from Iowa State to Penn State, including offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser. He’s also retaining interim head coach Terry Smith, and it looks like defensive line coach Deion Barnes and linebackers coach Dan Connor will remain on staff.
That mix of continuity and fresh perspective could be key as Campbell looks to establish his identity in the Big Ten.
What’s Next for Iowa State?
Back in Ames, the Cyclones are entering a new era. Jimmy Rogers, who takes over the program, wasted no time filling the void left by Heacock.
On Tuesday, he announced that Jesse Bobbit will take over as defensive coordinator. Bobbit worked under Rogers at both South Dakota State and Washington State, so there’s familiarity and trust already in place.
Rogers is also bringing back Tyler Roehl as offensive coordinator. Roehl was an assistant head coach at Iowa State in 2024 before a stint with the Detroit Lions as tight ends coach. His offenses - shaped during his time at North Dakota State - are known for creativity and toughness, traits Rogers clearly values.
“His offenses are known for creativity, innovation and toughness, and as a former defensive coordinator, I know how hard those offenses were to prepare for when we competed against one another,” Rogers said.
For Iowa State, the challenge now is maintaining the defensive standard that Heacock set while building a new identity under Rogers. That won’t be easy - but if there’s anything Heacock taught us, it’s that with the right mix of innovation, adaptability, and belief, you can change the game.
And in Ames, he did exactly that.