Goodheart came to SAU, then known as Southern State College, from Great Falls, MT and was a four-year letterwinner for the Muleriders.
[1] Following his playing career, Goodheart got his start as a student assistant coach at SAU for the 1977 season, during which Muleriders won their third AIC Championship in four years.
After one year at Camden Fairview, Goodheart moved to the University of Arizona to serve as a graduate assistant under National College Baseball Hall of Famer Jerry Kindall.
During Goodheart's two seasons in Tucson, the Wildcats compiled an 88–46–1 record and won the 1980 College World Series title.
After the 1980 season, Goodheart was hired by his alma mater to replace Dr. Jack Harrington as the head coach of the Muleriders.