Heacock served as the head football coach at Youngstown State University from 2001 to 2009, compiling a record of 60–44.
A native of Beloit, Ohio, Heacock graduated from West Branch High School in 1979 and earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Muskingum College in 1983.
In 1984, he served on the football coaching staff at Steubenville High School, where he helped the team to an Ohio Division II State Championship.
In his first year at Youngstown State, Heacock served as defensive backs coach as the Penguins finished 12–3 and won the Division I-AA national championship.
Youngstown State finished 3–8 in 1995 and 8–3 in 1996, bringing the Penguins' record to 61–19–2 during Heacock's six-year stint as an assistant.
In 2013, Heacock left Kent State to take the Safeties Coach position at Purdue, following Darrell Hazell.
[5][4] The 2017 Iowa State team would later upset 3rd-ranked Oklahoma and 4th-ranked TCU, ending the season leading the Big 12 in tackles for loss.