Source: Heacock to join Purdue staff

Staff report

Former Youngstown State head football Jon Heacock, who spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Kent State, is on the move.

Heacock will join former Golden Flashes head coach Darrell Hazell at Purdue, according to a source close to the Boilermakers’ program. Purdue hired Hazell on Dec. 5. Heacock’s role on the Boilermakers’ staff is not yet clear.

The Golden Flashes recently completed the most successful season in school history, finishing 11-3 and winning the Mid-American Conference’s East Division with an 8-0 mark. Kent State lost to Northern Illinois, 44-37, in double-overtime in the MAC title game and lost to Arkansas State, 17-13, in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.

Heacock spent nine seasons as YSU’s head coach. He was 60-44 and led the Penguins to the FCS national semifinals in 2006.