2019-present: (Arkansas State)
Heckendorf just completed his sixth season in Jonesboro by helping the Red Wolves to a 38-31 win over Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The 2024 team claimed eight victories that matched the third highest total in its 33-year history as an FBS member.
Since Coach Heckendorf’s arrival in Jonesboro, he has helped A-State’s offense put up impressive numbers and a pair of wide receivers in Omar Bayless and Jonathan Adams Jr. earned multiple All-America accolades. Each of the last two seasons, A-State has had multiple offensive linemen on the first and second all-conference teams after having not accomplished such since 2016.
Under the guidance of Heckendorf, Corey Rucker is A-State’s all-time leading receiver with 3,037 yards entering his senior year in 2025. Rucker has 23 career touchdown receptions, three shy of Omar Bayless for the program record.
Over the last two seasons (2023-24), Heckendorf has guided quarterback Jaylen Raynor to Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2023 and over 5,000 passing yards and 30 plus touchdown passes. Raynor was the first true-freshman quarterback to be named SBC Freshman of the Year since 2007 and just the second in the league’s history.
Center Jacob Bayer, signed by the Buffalo Bills following the 2024 season, was a back-to-back all-conference pick. Earning First Team All-Sun Belt honors in 2023, Bayer was the first offensive lineman at A-State to do so since 2018.
In the 2021 season alone, A-State ranked 11th nationally in passing offense (313.9 ypg) and averaged nearly 400 yards total offense. The Red Wolves topped 500 yards in a game four times, including 680 against Memphis for the fourth most in school history. The year prior, in 2020, A-State ranked second nationally in passing offense (364.4 ypg) and averaged 488.9 yards total offense, second most by an A-State team. The Red Wolves set a single-season record with 39 touchdown receptions in 2020.
Overseeing the quarterback position, Heckendorf coached the duo of Logan Bonner and Layne Hatcher to 3,921 passing yards in 2020, which combined, would have ranked third nationally despite playing just 11 games.
In his time at A-State, Heckendorf has guided 10 players to pro contracts with NFL teams.
2011-18: (North Carolina)
Served the Tar Heels in various roles including player development (2011-13), quarterbacks coach (2014-18), recruiting coordinator (2014-15) and passing game coordinator (2016-18). North Carolina played in five bowl games and appeared in the 2015 ACC championship game.
North Carolina’s passing game was among the nation’s best under Heckendorf’s leadership, while the Tar Heels also set the school record for passing yards three of his last five seasons.
2008-10: (Western Carolina)
Spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
2005-07: (Nebraska)
Served as offensive quality control in 2005 before shifting to offensive graduate assistant the next two seasons. Nebraska made trips to the 2005 Alamo Bowl and 2007 Cotton Bowl.
