Iowa State has officially turned the page on a defining chapter of its defensive identity. On Tuesday, the Cyclones named Jesse Bobbit as their new defensive coordinator - a move that signals both continuity and fresh energy for a program that’s prided itself on defensive toughness under Jon Heacock for nearly a decade.
Let’s be clear: replacing Heacock is no small task. Since 2016, he helped build one of the most consistently disciplined and innovative defenses in the Big 12.
His units were known for their structure, adaptability, and ability to punch above their weight. But in Jesse Bobbit, Iowa State isn’t just hiring a coach - they’re bringing in a leader who’s already proven he can elevate a defense, and do it quickly.
Bobbit arrives in Ames after serving as defensive coordinator at Washington State, where his defense made real noise last season in a conference that’s never been shy about airing it out. The Cougars gave up just 20.2 points per game and allowed only 299.5 total yards on average - numbers that speak volumes in the pass-happy Pac-12.
Even more impressive? His unit held opponents to under 175 passing yards per game and just 125.4 rushing yards.
That kind of balance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a system that’s both fundamentally sound and aggressive when it needs to be.
But Bobbit’s coaching résumé runs deeper than just one solid year in Pullman. Before Washington State, he was part of the powerhouse program at South Dakota State, where he coached safeties and linebackers.
During his time there, SDSU built one of the most dominant defenses in the FCS and captured a national championship. And it wasn’t just about talent - Bobbit’s fingerprints were on the development of that unit from the back end to the front seven.
He knows the game from the inside out - literally. Bobbit played linebacker at SDSU from 2012 to 2016, starting 45 games and earning his stripes as a cerebral, hard-nosed player.
That experience matters. He’s coached every level of the defense and been part of multiple championship-caliber staffs.
He’s young, but he’s already got a track record of making defenses better wherever he goes.
For Iowa State, this hire fits the mold. The program has long emphasized development, culture, and fit over flash.
Bobbit checks all those boxes. He understands how to build a unit that plays with purpose and physicality.
He’s been part of systems that demand discipline and execution - the same traits that defined Heacock’s defenses.
Cyclone fans should expect some evolution, but the core identity of Iowa State football - smart, physical, and relentless on defense - isn’t going anywhere. Jesse Bobbit may be a new name in Ames, but his approach feels like a natural continuation of what’s worked. And if his past stops are any indication, it won’t take long for his impact to be felt.
A new era begins in Ames, and Bobbit will be right at the heart of it.