AMES, Iowa – Iowa State’s head football coach Jimmy Rogers has shared exciting news about his full-time offensive staff for the upcoming season.
Coach Rogers has brought back Tyler Roehl, who previously coached at Iowa State and recently worked with the NFL’s Detroit Lions, as the offensive coordinator. Rogers expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve built a team with rich experience that not only excels at coaching but also fosters a strong culture for competition.”
Here’s a look at the coaches joining his staff:
Keith Heckendorf – Quarterbacks
Heckendorf comes with impressive credentials. He was offensive coordinator at Arkansas State for seven seasons, where he made significant impacts. Under his guidance, many of his players received all-conference honors, including two quarterbacks who earned Sun Belt Conference freshman of the year titles. He also coached Mitchell Trubisky at North Carolina, who went on to be the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Seth Hestness – Tight Ends
A native of Mason City, Hestness joins from Army West Point, where he served in the same role. He has experience coaching at North Dakota State, where his teams reached the FCS championship and semifinals. Notably, he worked with NFL Draft picks Cody Mauch and Grey Zabel.
John Johnson – Running Backs
Johnson, from El Dorado, Arkansas, previously worked with Rogers at South Dakota State. Last season, he was instrumental in transforming New Mexico’s team, leading them to a bowl game. During his time at South Dakota State, he coached standout players like Pierre Strong Jr., a two-time FCS All-American.
Derrick Sherman – Wide Receivers
Sherman arrives from Tulane and Houston, where he guided talented players like Amare Thomas, who earned First Team All-Big 12 honors. In 2022, he was part of Tulane’s remarkable season, culminating in a Cotton Bowl victory, with star running back Tyjae Spears receiving multiple accolades.
Jake Thornton – Offensive Line
Thornton joins Iowa State after coaching at Auburn and Ole Miss. He was also a graduate assistant at Alabama during their National Championship season in 2017, learning from future NFL stars.
This strong coaching lineup reflects Iowa State’s ambition to build a competitive program. As college football evolves, having experienced mentors can be the key to success. An increasing number of teams are investing in strong coaching staffs, recognizing that they are crucial for training athletes and developing winning strategies.
In recent years, college football programs have placed more emphasis on player development, with many seeing success through focused coaching. For instance, a study from the National Collegiate Athletic Association noted that programs with experienced coaching teams tend to secure better recruitment and player retention rates.
As the 135th season begins, fans and players alike are hopeful for a promising year ahead under this skilled coaching crew.
For more insights on coaching strategies and player development in college sports, check out the NCAA’s official reports here.
