Hecklinski played high school football in Palatine, Illinois, and was rated as the top quarterback prospect in the Midwest.
[6][7] After a redshirt season in 1993, Hecklinski lost a three-way battle for the starting quarterback position in 1994.
[13] In January 2012, he was the subject of press coverage after Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio cut off Hecklinski's presentation at the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Winners' Circle Clinic.
[17][18][19][20] San Diego State University hired Hecklinski as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2020.
[21] Hecklinski and his wife, Tiffany, have three children: a daughter, Riley, and two sons, Mikey and JR. His nephew Jeremy is slated to play QB at Wake Forest after being named MaxPreps HS 2023 Player of the Year in Georgia.