Coaching Assignments

Jim Heacock is in his 14th year as a member of the Ohio State football staff. After serving as the Buckeyes’ defensive line coach for nine seasons, he was elevated to defensive coordinator prior to the beginning of the 2005 season.

The 2007 Ohio State defense ranked first in the nation in total defense (233 yds/gm), scoring defense (12.77 pts/gm) and pass defense (150.1 yds/gm). The Buckeyes were also among the NCAA Top 10 in rush defense (3), pass efficiency defense (4), sacks (6) and tackles for loss (8). As recognition for that effort, Heacock was selected as the 2007 winner of the Frank Broyles Award, presented to the nation’s most outstanding assistant coach.

A native of Alliance, Ohio, and a graduate of Muskingum College, the highly respected Heacock is in his 38th year in the coaching profession. He was head coach at Illinois State from 1988-95, and has also served stints as an assistant at Washington, Bowling Green and Muskingum.

Heacock came to Ohio State in 1996 as an assistant under John Cooper. When Jim Tressel replaced Cooper after the 2000 season, Heacock was one of three assistant coaches retained from the previous staff. Heacock has been one of the leading defensive line coaches in the nation throughout his years at Ohio State, producing 25 defensive linemen who have made NFL rosters.

Heacock graduated from Muskingum in 1970. Jim and his wife, Sherry, an educator, have two daughters, Stephanie and Shannon.