Terry Heffernan joined the staff as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach in January 2016. He was elevated to associate head coach in April of 2017.
Heffernan helped the Colonels to a 7-4 record and a third place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2018. That success was due in large part to an offensive line that paved the way for a much-improved running game.
EKU rushed for 2,246 yards in 2018, 1,105 yards more than in 2017. It was the highest rushing total for an Eastern team since churning out 2,867 yards in 2014. In 2018, the Colonels ranked second in the OVC and 26th in the nation in rushing offense. Left tackle Cameron Kowalewski earned second team All-OVC recognition.
That success running the ball allowed the Colonels to lead the OVC and finished seventh in the nation in time of possession. EKU held the ball for an average of 32:54.
Eastern averaged a touchdown more per game in 2018 raising its scoring average from 20.7 to 26.9 points per game.
In his first season, Heffernan guided an offensive line that ranked among the top-50 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed. The Colonel offensive line did not allow any sacks in four games, including at Big Ten opponent Purdue. In its second season under Heffernan’s guidance, the offensive line led the conference and finished fifth in the country in fewest sacks allowed, giving up just eight in 11 games.
With that outstanding protection, senior quarterback Tim Boyle threw for 2,134 yards in 2017, the fifth most in one season in program history.
Heffernan’s line helped the offense put 60 points on the board as the Colonels tied the school record for points in a game during a 67-30 victory at Austin Peay in 2016.
The Colonel line helped EKU finish among the top-50 teams in the nation in total offense in 2016. That squad churned out 399 yards of total offense and ranked 32nd in FCS in passing offense. In 2017, Eastern led the conference in passing yards.
“Terry has unbelievable experience, having coached at Louisville, Michigan and in the NFL,” Head Coach Mark Elder said. “Terry’s knowledge of the run game and pass protection is extremely valuable to our offense. He has an engaging personality and is loved by our players.”
Heffernan came to EKU after spending three seasons with the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). He served as the assistant offensive line coach in 2013, the offensive quality control coach in 2014 and was back as the assistant offensive line coach in 2015.
Before joining the Lions, Heffernan was an assistant at Wayne State for six seasons. He spent five years as the offensive line coach, helping WSU to a school record 12 wins and a NCAA Division II runner-up finish in 2011. He spent his final season at Wayne State (2012) as the offensive coordinator.
Heffernan worked as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Louisville (2004-05) and the University of Michigan (2005-07).
As a student-athlete, he helped Dayton capture four Pioneer Football League titles in four seasons. He graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s in communications.
Heffernan and his wife Jamie have two sons – Connor and Casey and one daughter – Regan.
Terry Heffernan Year-By-Year
| Year |
School |
Position |
Notes |
| 2003 |
Cumberland Univ. |
Offensive Graduate Assistant - Tight Ends/Tackles |
|
| 2004 |
Louisville |
Defensive Graduate Assistant - Asst. Defensive Line Coach |
C-USA Champ, won Liberty Bowl |
| 2005 |
Michigan |
Offensive Graduate Assistant - Asst. Offensive Line Coach |
Alamo Bowl |
| 2006 |
Michigan |
Offensive Graduate Assistant - Asst. Offensive Line Coach |
Rose Bowl |
| 2007 |
Wayne State |
Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2008 |
Wayne State |
Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2009 |
Wayne State |
Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2010 |
Wayne State |
Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2011 |
Wayne State |
Offensive Line Coach |
National Runner-Up |
| 2012 |
Wayne State |
Offensive Coordinator |
|
| 2013 |
Detroit Lions |
Assistant Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2014 |
Detroit Lions |
Offensive Quality Control - Offensive Line |
11-6, playoffs |
| 2015 |
Detroit Lions |
Assistant Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2016 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach |
|
| 2017 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach |
5th in nation in sacks allowed |
| 2018 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach |
7-3, 3rd OVC, 26th in NCAA in rushing |
| 2019 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach |
|
