Matt Campbell has been bringing several of his former Iowa State staff members to State College as part of his inaugural Penn State coaching staff in 2026. One longtime collaborator, however, will not be joining him.
Campbell’s defensive coordinator for more than a decade, Jon Heacock, announced his retirement Tuesday morning. Heacock has served as a defensive coordinator under Campbell since 2014, dating back to their time together at Toledo.
A journeyman coach with 43 seasons on the sidelines, Heacock’s career included a stint as head coach at Youngstown State before he became one of college football’s most innovative defensive minds. At Iowa State, he implemented the 3-high safety defense that helped elevate players such as Will McDonald, T.J. Tampa, and Mike Rose into national headliners.
“Well, it’s the right time for this coach to hang up his whistle … 43 years,” Heacock wrote on Twitter. “I’m so thankful, grateful, and blessed to have worked alongside some of the finest players, support staff members, and coaches in America. I’m certainly thankful and grateful that God chose me to be the defensive coordinator at Iowa State University for 10 years.
“Ames, Iowa State, the team, and Cyclone Nation—we did some special things together. Thank you all.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“Always remember who you are, the name on the front of your jersey and the name on the back. If you have an opportunity to worship in some way, do it. And always tell the people you love that you love them; there are no guarantees. Appreciate and love you all.”
Heacock was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2017 and earned three additional nominations from 2022–2024, honoring him as one of college football’s top assistant coaches.
Campbell remains in search of his first defensive coordinator hire at Penn State. Last week, 247Sports and On3’s Pete Nakos reported that there was interest in Penn State letterman and current USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
