Jon Heacock Retires After 43 Seasons, Won’t Join Matt Campbell at Penn State
As Matt Campbell begins assembling his first coaching staff at Penn State, one name many expected to see on the list won’t be making the trip to State College. Longtime defensive coordinator Jon Heacock, Campbell’s right-hand man for over a decade, announced his retirement Tuesday morning, closing the book on a remarkable 43-year coaching career.
Heacock and Campbell have been virtually inseparable on the football field since 2014, when they first teamed up at Toledo. That partnership carried over to Iowa State, where Heacock became one of the most respected defensive minds in college football. Now, as Campbell starts a new chapter in the Big Ten, he’ll be doing it without the defensive architect who helped define his teams for the last ten years.
A Defensive Pioneer
Heacock wasn’t just a steady hand on the headset-he was an innovator. At Iowa State, he helped usher in the era of the 3-high safety defense, a scheme that puzzled Big 12 offenses and quickly spread across the college football landscape.
It was a system built to counter modern spread offenses, and it worked. Under Heacock’s guidance, Iowa State’s defense became a calling card, producing stars like Will McDonald, T.J.
Tampa, and Mike Rose-players who not only thrived in the system but became national names because of it.
That innovation didn’t go unnoticed. Heacock was a Broyles Award finalist in 2017, and he earned three more nominations between 2022 and 2024. The award, given to the top assistant coach in college football, is a fitting recognition for someone who consistently got the most out of his players and schemes.
A Farewell with Heart
Heacock’s retirement message was as heartfelt as his coaching style was disciplined. In a statement shared on social media, he reflected on his journey with gratitude and humility.
“Well, it’s the right time for this coach to hang up his whistle… 43 years,” he wrote. “I’m so thankful, grateful, and blessed to have worked alongside some of the finest players, support staff members, and coaches in America.”
He shouted out Ames, Iowa State, and Cyclone Nation, calling their shared accomplishments “special.” He closed with a message that felt like it could’ve come straight from one of his locker room speeches: “Always remember who you are, the name on the front of your jersey and the name on the back… Always tell the people you love that you love them; there are no guarantees.”
It’s a fitting sendoff from a coach who never sought the spotlight but left a lasting impact on the game.
What’s Next for Penn State?
With Heacock stepping away, Campbell is now tasked with one of the most important hires of his early Penn State tenure: finding a new defensive coordinator. Reports last week linked the Nittany Lions to D’Anton Lynn, a Penn State letterman and current USC defensive coordinator, signaling Campbell may be looking for someone who not only understands defensive football but also the culture in Happy Valley.
Whoever takes over will have big shoes to fill-not just in terms of X’s and O’s, but in the leadership and consistency Heacock brought to every team he touched.
For now, though, the story is about a coach who gave everything to the game for over four decades. Jon Heacock walks away from football with a legacy built on innovation, loyalty, and impact-both on the field and in the lives of the players he coached.