Recruiting Responsibility

Ohio Counties: Summit, Portage, Stark, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Harrison

Secondary Assignments: Florida (Orlando)

Jon Heacock joined Darrell Hazell’s staff in January of 2011 as the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach, bringing with him nine years of head coaching experience at nearby Youngstown State (2001-09). 

In his first year, Heacock produced one of the best defenses in the Mid-American Conference despite losing four players from 2010 that wound up in NFL training camps.  In conference-only games, the Golden Flashes ranked first in the MAC in total defense, red zone defense and pass efficiency defense. Kent State also ranked second in sacks and scoring defense. Nationally, the Flashes ranked seventh in fumbles recovered and turnover margin, 10^th in turnovers gained, 18^th in tackles for loss and 21^st in total defense.

Under Heacock, Kent State’s five All-MAC defensive performers in 2011 were the most of any conference school. Overseeing the development of the team’s cornerbacks, Heacock coached senior Josh Pleasant to a Second Team All-MAC selection. 

Hazell and the Heacock family have a long history together, as he played with Jon and was coached by Jon’s brother, Jeff, at Muskingum (1982-85). More recently, he was on the Ohio State staff for seven seasons with the oldest Heacock brother, Jim, who was the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator.

Heacock took over the reins at YSU when Jim Tressel left for Ohio State, compiling a record of 60-44 with the Penguins while earning Gateway Conference Coach of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons (2005 & ‘06). His tenure was highlighted by a 2006 run to the national semifinals.

Heacock first went to YSU before the 1990 season, which saw the beginning of a tremendous run of success. From 1991 through 2002 the program won four national championships, appeared in the playoffs seven times and won 116 games.

Before taking over as the head coach in January 2001, Heacock had been a member of the coaching staff for seven of the 10 previous years as an assistant, including six as the defensive coordinator.  Before returning to YSU in 2000, he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Indiana.  Less than a year after returning, he was named the head coach.

Heacock’s first stay at Youngstown State brought much success to the program in his six seasons (61-19-2). In his first four years, YSU appeared in the Division I-AA championship game and earned three national championships (1991, ‘93 and ‘94).

Prior to his first stint at YSU, Heacock served as an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy from 1990-91.

From 1988-90, Heacock was a graduate assistant at Michigan under coach Bo Schembechler, where he worked with the Wolverines’ defensive backs and special teams in addition to assisting in many other capacities. During his two years, Michigan won two Big Ten titles and appeared in the Rose Bowl twice, winning in 1989.

Prior to his stint at Michigan, Heacock was the defensive coordinator, secondary coach, and defensive line coach at West Liberty College from 1985-87.

Heacock’s coaching career began in 1983 when he was hired as a graduate assistant to be the defensive line coach at the University of Toledo. After spending one season with the Rockets, Heacock joined the staff at Steubenville High School, where he helped guide The Big Red to the 1984 Ohio Division II State Championship.

Heacock, who is a native of Alliance, Ohio, earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Muskingum College in 1983. At Muskingum, Heacock played football and competed on the track and field team. He is a 1979 graduate of West Branch High School.

Jon and his wife, Trescia, who is a registered nurse, have a son, Jace and a daughter, Adelyn.