AP FILE PHOTO - Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock talks to his unit during a timeout in the second half of a college football game against Northern Iowa on Sept. 3, 2016 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

AMES — Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has retired, ending a coaching career after four-plus decades.

Iowa State announced Heacock’s decision in an emailed statement Tuesday morning.

Heacock, known for a 3-3-5 scheme with the Cyclones, was a finalist for the Broyles Award that recognizes college football’s top assistant coach in 2017 and was nominated for it from 2022-25.

He was a top assistant on Matt Campbell’s staff at Iowa State for 10 seasons and at Toledo for two seasons. Campbell left Iowa State earlier this month to lead Penn State’s program.

“I’m so thankful, grateful and blessed to have worked alongside some of the finest players, support staff members and coaches in America,” Heacock said in a post on X announcing his retirement. “I’m certainly thankful and grateful that God chose me to be the defensive coordinator at Iowa State University for 10 years. Ames, Iowa State, the team, and Cyclone Nation: Man, we all did some special stuff together! Thanks to you all!”

Heacock was 60-44 as coach at Youngstown State from 2001 to 2009, leading the second-tier college football program to the FCS semifinals in 2006. He was a two-time Gateway Conference Coach of the Year (2005-06) with the Penguins.

The 65-year-old Heacock, who is from Beloit, Ohio, started his coaching career in 1983 at Toledo as a graduate assistant. He later was a graduate assistant for the late Bo Schembechler at Michigan and defensive coordinator for Jim Tressel at Youngstown State.