WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioCoach Jon Heacock Steps Down as Youngstown State Football Coach

Coach Jon Heacock Steps Down as Youngstown State Football Coach

Youngstown -- Nine-year Youngstown State University Head Football Coach Jon Heacock announced on Sunday that he is stepping down. Heacock guided the program to a 60-44 record during his tenure, which was highlighted by a trip to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoff semifinals in 2006. A national search to replace Heacock will begin immediately.

"I've known Jon since my senior year on the football team in 1991, and he has always been a genuine, caring person for the Youngstown State program and the community," said Ron Strollo, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "I would want Jon, as well as our fans and supporters, to know that we appreciate the tremendous challenges and expectations of being the Head Football Coach at Youngstown State. He fulfilled those duties in a manner that would make every Penguin fan proud. Our best wishes and gratitude are extended to Jon and his family for their many sacrifices on behalf of this institution."

During Heacock's tenure at YSU, the Penguins won two Missouri Valley Football Conference titles and finished with at least seven wins on five occasions. Youngstown State reached the playoffs in 2006 and came up just short of the postseason in 2001 and 2005 despite winning eight games in each of those campaigns. He was selected as a two-time conference coach of the year after taking over the program in January 2001. In 2005 and 2006 he was named the American Football Coaches Association's Region IV Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the AFCA Coach-of-the-Year and Eddie Robinson Coach-of-the-Year awards.

"When we became a part of Youngstown State University and, specifically, THE YSU FOOTBALL FAMILY, excellence was defined in ‘wins' and success defined in ‘making a difference'," Heacock said. "On behalf of my family, through 16 years, the last nine as head coach, we have been blessed to share in both. Thanks to everyone who made that possible."

He was named the Bruce Craddock Coach of the Year in 2005 when Youngstown State tied UNI and Southern Illinois for the school's first MVFC crown but was left out of the playoffs after finishing with an 8-3 overall record.

In 2006, the Penguins left no doubt, earning an outright conference title and automatic bid to the FCS playoffs - firsts for the program since joining the league in 1997. YSU posted an 11-3 mark that season, winning playoff home games against No. 6 James Madison and 11th-ranked Illinois State before falling at top-ranked and eventual national champion Appalachian State.

Not including this season, Heacock coached 29 All-Americans, and his teams had 77 Missouri Valley Football/Gateway Conference selections. YSU had the conference's Offensive Players of the Year in 2001 (P.J. Mays) and 2006 (Marcus Mason). He also had 39 academic all-conference picks and 15 academic all-district honorees, including two first-team members this year.

He had previously served as an assistant coach on the YSU staff from 1991-96 and as defensive coordinator in 2000 before being promoted to head coach. The Penguins won FCS national championships in 1991, 1993 and 1994. For the latter two titles, Heacock was the defensive coordinator.

"I want to thank Coach Heacock for his commitment and dedication to the football program, the university and this community," YSU President Dr. David C. Sweet said. "No one has worked harder, both on and off the field, to make YSU football successful. He has been a tremendous role model for his players and all scholar-athletes at Youngstown State."

21 Sports will have more on this breaking story tonight following the game.