| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1948-06-23)June 23, 1948 (age 77) Alliance, Ohio, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1967–1970 | Muskingum |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1971 | Marlington HS (OH) (assistant) |
| 1972 | Bowling Green (GA) |
| 1973–1974 | Muskingum (DB) |
| 1975–1977 | Muskingum (DC) |
| 1978–1980 | Bowling Green (DL) |
| 1981–1982 | Bowling Green (AHC/DC) |
| 1983–1987 | Washington (DL) |
| 1988–1995 | Illinois State |
| 1996–2004 | Ohio State (DL) |
| 2005–2011 | Ohio State (DC) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 37–49–2 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Broyles Award (2007) | |
Jim Heacock (born June 23, 1948) is an American formerfootball coach. He served as the head football coach atIllinois State University from 1988 to 1995, compiling a record of 37–49–2. In 1996, he became an assistant coach atOhio State University and served as thedefensive coordinator for theOhio State Buckeyes from 2005 until his retirement following the 2011 season.[1]
Heacock was an assistant coach at theUniversity of Washington from 1983 to 1987. As the team prepared for its bowl game in 1987, Heacock accepted a job as the head football coach atIllinois State University.[2] At Illinois State, he employed future Ohio State head coachUrban Meyer.[3]
In 1996, Heacock joinedOhio State University's football coaching staff as thedefensive line coach.[1][4] When head coachJohn Cooper was fired in 2001, Heacock was one of only three assistants retained by the new head coach,Jim Tressel. Heacock won theBroyles Award, awarded to the nation's top assistant coach, in 2007. As of 2008, Heacock was the most senior member of the Ohio State coaching staff.[4] Heacock was promoted todefensive coordinator in 2005. In his first year in that position, the Ohio State defense was ranked first in the nation in rush defense.[4] The same year, the defense ranked fifth in the nation for fewest points allowed and for total defense.[1] According to sportswriter Dennis Dodd, "Statistically, the 2007 unit was among the best finishing first nationally in scoring defense, total defense and pass defense".[4]
Heacock was awarded theBroyles Award in 2007 as the top assistant coach in college football. Tressel remarked that "Heacock's defense has allowed this young Ohio State team to become a national contender."[4] Heacock was 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."[1]
Heacock's brother,Jeff, was the head football coach forMuskingum University from 1981 to 2006.[5]
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State Redbirds(Gateway Football Conference)(1988–1995) | |||||||||
| 1988 | Illinois State | 1–10 | 0–6 | 7th | |||||
| 1989 | Illinois State | 5–6 | 4–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1990 | Illinois State | 5–6 | 3–3 | T–3rd | |||||
| 1991 | Illinois State | 5–6 | 1–5 | 7th | |||||
| 1992 | Illinois State | 5–6 | 2–4 | T–4th | |||||
| 1993 | Illinois State | 6–4–1 | 2–3–1 | T–4th | |||||
| 1994 | Illinois State | 5–5–1 | 3–3 | 4th | |||||
| 1995 | Illinois State | 5–6 | 3–3 | T–3rd | |||||
| Illinois State: | 37–49–2 | 18–30–1 | |||||||
| Total: | 37–49–2 | ||||||||