Jim Heacock
Encyclopedia
Jim Heacock is the defensive coordinator
of the Ohio State University
football team. Heacock has been a coach since 1971. He was an assistant coach for the University of Washington
Huskies
from 1983–1987. As the team prepared for its bowl game in 1987 Heacock accepted a job as the head coach at NCAA Division I-AA Illinois State University
. At Illinois State he employed future University of Florida
head coach Urban Meyer
.
In 1996, Heacock joined Ohio State University
football coaching staff as the defensive line coach. When head coach John Cooper was fired in 2001, Heacock was one of only three assistants retained by the new head coach, Jim Tressel
. As of 2008, Heacock was the most senior member of the Ohio State coaching staff. Heacock was promoted to defensive coordinator
in 2005. In his first year in that position, the Ohio State defense was ranked first in the nation in rush defense. The same year, the defense ranked fifth in the nation for least number of points allowed and for total defense. According to sportswriter Dennis Dodd, "Statistically, the 2007 unit was among the best finishing first nationally in scoring defense, total defense and pass defense".
Heacock was awarded the Frank Broyles National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2007. Tressel remarked that ""Jim Heacock's defense has allowed this young Ohio State team to become a national contender". Heacock is more modest, claiming that "We're all just in this for the same reason. ... There are other assistants who do every bit as much as I do. I kind of get in the way."
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
of the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
football team. Heacock has been a coach since 1971. He was an assistant coach for the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
Huskies
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
from 1983–1987. As the team prepared for its bowl game in 1987 Heacock accepted a job as the head coach at NCAA Division I-AA Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
. At Illinois State he employed future University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
head coach Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
.
In 1996, Heacock joined Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
football coaching staff as the defensive line coach. When head coach John Cooper was fired in 2001, Heacock was one of only three assistants retained by the new head coach, Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
. As of 2008, Heacock was the most senior member of the Ohio State coaching staff. Heacock was promoted to defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
in 2005. In his first year in that position, the Ohio State defense was ranked first in the nation in rush defense. The same year, the defense ranked fifth in the nation for least number of points allowed and for total defense. According to sportswriter Dennis Dodd, "Statistically, the 2007 unit was among the best finishing first nationally in scoring defense, total defense and pass defense".
Heacock was awarded the Frank Broyles National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2007. Tressel remarked that ""Jim Heacock's defense has allowed this young Ohio State team to become a national contender". Heacock is more modest, claiming that "We're all just in this for the same reason. ... There are other assistants who do every bit as much as I do. I kind of get in the way."