Heacock promoted to Assistant Vice President

At a press conference today, Muskingum College was pleased to announce that Jeffrey W. Heacock, currently Head Football Coach and Assistant Professor, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for External Relations.

As Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for External Relations, Heacock will spearhead ongoing efforts to engage alumni in the curricular and co-curricular life of the College through alumni internship and mentoring programs, alumni guest lectureships, and alumni visiting professorships. Heacock will engage alumni in helping Muskingum accomplish important and pressing institutional objectives including the enrollment of students, career planning and placement, and continuing education. He led the highly successful 2004-05 campaign that brought ProGrass Turf to Sherman Field. President Steele noted that "the respect that his former players and the whole Muskingum College Community have for Jeff was central to the success of this project."

Having served as Head Football Coach and Assistant Professor for twenty-six years, Heacock is well qualified to assume this new position from which he will continue his role as an educator in a different and challenging capacity. Currently the longest-serving Head Football Coach in the Ohio Athletic Conference, Heacock has mentored and taught thousands of talented student-athletes who have graduated and have attained professional success in virtually every field of human endeavor.

"I've been very fortunate to be the Head Football Coach at a quality institution like Muskingum College for the past 26 years. Not many people get to live a dream like that," said Heacock. "I am pleased and gratified to have this new opportunity to work with our alumni as Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs. Our alumni have so much to add to the curricular and co-curricular breadth of the College, and helping to bring this about will further enrich the academic profile of Muskingum."

Heacock's collegiate coaching career began at Muskingum in 1978 as an assistant coach. He was elevated to Head Coach in 1981. Heacock's 108 gridiron victories rank in the top 30 all-time in Division III and rank 11th all-time in the 104 year history of the Ohio Athletic Conference. Additionally, his 26-year tenure ranks eighth all-time for active coaches across all divisions (NCAA I, II, III) for most years at the same institution.

Heacock he has been honored as Coach of the Year twice in what is recognized as the nation's most competitive NCAA Division III football conference, The Ohio Athletic Conference. Under Heacock's guidance, 141 student-athletes have earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference status and Academic all-conference recognition and 67 individual and team records have been set, including the mark of most wins in a season (nine wins/1984). On the national level, 20 of Heacock's student-athletes have earned All-American laurels, including two that claimed Academic All-American honors. Additionally, four players have been honored by The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Columbus Chapter and two players have been chosen to play in the prestigious Aztec Bowl, which features the top 44 Division III student-athletes from the United States against a squad of Mexican football all-stars.

"Jeff has been the epitome of class and dignity in this league for a long time," stated OAC Commissioner Tim Gleason. "He's helped thousands of young students prepare themselves for life far beyond football. From an athletics standpoint, I will miss him, but I am delighted his promotion will keep him at Muskingum."

"Coach Heacock has been a quality coach for many, many years," said Muskingum Athletic Director Larry Shank. "He was a constant source of support, encouragement and guidance for his student-athletes. He is a tremendous asset to the Muskingum College community."

He is a past member of the NCAA Division III All-America Selection Committee and past president of the OAC Coaches' Association. He currently is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and the Ohio High School Coaches Association.

Heacock, who graduated from Muskingum in 1976 and received his master's degree from the University of Dayton, was an All-American defensive back for the Muskie football team.

"The loyalty for the people who have worked for me has been outstanding," added Heacock. "It's been 26 wonderful years as a head football coach. I will always have a tremendous love for the football program."