Chuck Heater
Encyclopedia
Chuck Heater is an American football
coach and former player. He was a running back
for the University of Michigan
from 1972 to 1974 and finished his playing career as the fifth all time leading rusher in Michigan Wolverines football
history. Heater has been an assistant football coach at ten universities since 1976. He has been affiliated with College Football Hall of Fame
coaches Bo Schembechler
(as a player), Earle Bruce
(as an assistant at Ohio State
and Colorado State
), and Lou Holtz
(as an assistant at Notre Dame
). He has been on coaching staffs of national championship teams at Notre Dame (1988
) and Florida
(2006
and 2008
). He is currently the defensive coordinator at Temple.
in Tiffin, Ohio
. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored more than 100 points in both his junior year in 1969 and his senior year in 1970. In his three years as a starter for Columbian, Heater accounted for 3,530 total yards and scored a total of 310 points, including 158 points as a senior. He was also selected as an All-Ohio player in his senior year. In February 1971, Heater announced that he had accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan
.
's Michigan Wolverines football
team from 1972 to 1974. He accumulated 1,995 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In October 1972, Heater established himself as a star in his third game for Michigan, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for 94 yards and a third touchdown in a 35-7 victory over Navy. In its game coverage, the UPI credited Heater, who came into the game as a substitute, for firing the Wolverines' 28-point third quarter:
Heater had four 100-yard rushing games for the Wolverines, gaining 155 yards against Illinois in 1972, 133 yards against Iowa in 1973, 128 yards against Indiana in 1973, and 101 yards against Wisconsin in 1974. His longest run from scrimmage was for a 71-yard gain against Indiana in 1973.
As a sophomore in 1972, Heater reportedly found himself in Schembechler's doghouse after missing a day of practice after his wedding. The Chicago Tribune
reported: "You know why Chuck Heater, the Michigan back, got in Coach Bo Schembechler's doghouse? Chuck skipped a day of practice for a honeymoon. Not sufficient excuse, ruled Bo."
At the time he completed his college career in 1974, Heater ranked fourth all-time among Michigan's career rushing leaders since official records were maintained starting in 1949. The only players ahead of him were Billy Taylor
(3,072 yards), Ron Johnson (2,417 yards) and Ed Shuttlesworth
(2,333 yards). Heater also received the Fielding Yost Award in 1975 as the most outstanding academic and athletic performance by a senior. The Wolverines compiled a record of 41-3-1 during Heater's four years with the team and won or tied for the Big Ten Conference
championship every season.
After completing his senior year at Michigan, Heater was selected to play as a running back for the Blue team in the 1974 Blue–Gray Football Classic.
in the 10th round (241st overall pick) of the 1975 NFL Draft
. He signed with the Saints in June 1975, but he was released in early September 1975, shortly before the opening game of the regular season.
. He was hired as the offensive backfield coach working under head coach Joe Salem
. Heater took over a backfield that had fumbled 46 times in 1975. Under Heater's tutelage, the Northern Arizona backfield fumbled only 14 times in 1976. Northern Arizona running back Carl Golden also led the Big Sky Conference
in rushing in 1976.
Heater later recalled that he had no intention of coaching football when he graduated from Michigan. He said, "I found out it's what I know most about anyway — football. I found out it's really what I wanted to do. Coaching is suited to my abilities."
near his hometown of Tiffin, Ohio. At Toledo, he joined the staff of head coach Chuck Stobart
who had coached Heater at Michigan. Heater spent five years on the Toledo coaching staff, working as the running backs coach from 1977–1978 and as the secondary coach from 1979–1981.
as the defensive backfield coach under head coach Dave McClain. Shortly after being hired at Wisconsin, Heater told a Wisconsin newspaper, "I don't think I'll be a legendary
coach, but I want to do my job and do it well. If I do those things, I'll get where I want to go. I'm not going to worry about tomorrow. I'll just do well today and things will take care of themselves." Heater remained at Wisconsin for three years.
as the secondary coach under head coach Earle Bruce
. He spent three years on Bruce's staff at Ohio State and left when Bruce was fired at the end of the 1987 season.
under head coach Lou Holtz
. He was on the Notre Dame coaching staff in 1988 when Notre Dame won its last national championship. He remained on Holtz's staff at Notre Dame for three years through the 1990 season.
. He joined the staff of Earle Bruce under whom he had coached at Ohio State four years earlier. At the time of the hiring, Bruce said, "Chuck is an outstanding coach who will fit well in our program." Heater remained with Colorado State for two years but left after the 1992 season when Earl Bruce was fired as the team's head coach.
team. Colorado head coach Bill McCartney
had been an assistant coach at Michigan during Heater's senior year. In February 1994, after the NCAA eliminated the position of recruiting coordinator, McCartney hired Heater as his defensive secondary coach. In March 1995, Colorado's new head coach Rick Neuheisel
moved Heater to a new position as the team's tight ends coach. He remained the tight ends coach at Colorado for four years from 1995 to 1998 and also resumed his duties as recruiting coordinator in 1998.
, accepting a positions as cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Heater spent five years on the Washington coaching staff, though he moved to offense in 2002 as the running backs coach.
as the defensive secondary coach at the University of Utah
. Heater had worked with fellow Ohio native Meyer on Earl Bruce's staff at both Ohio State and Colorado State.
as cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. In September 2006, Meyer said of Heater: "He's one of the best teachers. I used to just sit in his meetings and watch him coach." In the 2008 Capital One Bowl
, Heater coached against the Michigan Wolverines
for the 14th time in his career. At the time, Heater told the press, "It's nothing new for me, but it's always a game I look forward to because I have a lot of respect for their program and who they are." After three years as the cornerbacks coach, Heater became the Gators assistant defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2008. In January 2010, Heater was promoted to co-defensive coordinator.
under new head coach Steve Addazio
.
Heater has coached teams in 23 bowl games, including the 2007 and 2009 BCS National Championship Games.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and former player. He was a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1972 to 1974 and finished his playing career as the fifth all time leading rusher in Michigan Wolverines football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
history. Heater has been an assistant football coach at ten universities since 1976. He has been affiliated with College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
coaches Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
(as a player), Earle Bruce
Earle Bruce
Earle Bruce is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Tampa , Iowa State University , Ohio State University , the University of Northern Iowa , and Colorado State University , compiling a career college football record of 154–90–2...
(as an assistant at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
and Colorado State
Colorado State Rams football
The Colorado State Rams football program, established in 1893, represents Colorado State University and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference under head coach Steve Fairchild...
), and Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
(as an assistant at Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
). He has been on coaching staffs of national championship teams at Notre Dame (1988
1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1988 college football season. The Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with 12 wins and no losses, winning the national championship...
) and Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
(2006
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
and 2008
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
). He is currently the defensive coordinator at Temple.
Early years
A native of West Virginia, Heater attended Columbian High SchoolColumbian High School (Tiffin, Ohio)
Columbian High School is a public high school in Tiffin, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Tiffin City School District. Their nickname is the Tornadoes.They are members of the N.O.L...
in Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin is a city in and the county seat of Seneca County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,135 at the 2000 census. The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Tiffin as a Tree City USA....
. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored more than 100 points in both his junior year in 1969 and his senior year in 1970. In his three years as a starter for Columbian, Heater accounted for 3,530 total yards and scored a total of 310 points, including 158 points as a senior. He was also selected as an All-Ohio player in his senior year. In February 1971, Heater announced that he had accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
.
University of Michigan
Heater played at the running back position for Bo SchembechlerBo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
's Michigan Wolverines football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
team from 1972 to 1974. He accumulated 1,995 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In October 1972, Heater established himself as a star in his third game for Michigan, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for 94 yards and a third touchdown in a 35-7 victory over Navy. In its game coverage, the UPI credited Heater, who came into the game as a substitute, for firing the Wolverines' 28-point third quarter:
"THE Wolverines blew scoring opportunities and were sluggish on offense until substitute Chuck Heater, a six-foot, 205-pound tailback from Tiffin, Ohio, entered the game as Harry Banks' replacement in the second quarter. The darting sophomore gained 89 yards, 59 of them in the third quarter when he scored on a 13-yard run off left tackle to give Michigan a 28-0 lead."
Heater had four 100-yard rushing games for the Wolverines, gaining 155 yards against Illinois in 1972, 133 yards against Iowa in 1973, 128 yards against Indiana in 1973, and 101 yards against Wisconsin in 1974. His longest run from scrimmage was for a 71-yard gain against Indiana in 1973.
As a sophomore in 1972, Heater reportedly found himself in Schembechler's doghouse after missing a day of practice after his wedding. The Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
reported: "You know why Chuck Heater, the Michigan back, got in Coach Bo Schembechler's doghouse? Chuck skipped a day of practice for a honeymoon. Not sufficient excuse, ruled Bo."
At the time he completed his college career in 1974, Heater ranked fourth all-time among Michigan's career rushing leaders since official records were maintained starting in 1949. The only players ahead of him were Billy Taylor
Billy Taylor (American football)
William "Billy" Taylor, Ed. D. is a former professional American and Canadian football running back who played for Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League after starring for the University of Michigan Wolverines...
(3,072 yards), Ron Johnson (2,417 yards) and Ed Shuttlesworth
Ed Shuttlesworth
Ed Shuttlesworth is a former American football fullback.He played for the University of Michigan from 1971 to 1973. He was the leading rusher for Michigan's 1972 and 1973 teams that compiled a combined record of 30–1–1...
(2,333 yards). Heater also received the Fielding Yost Award in 1975 as the most outstanding academic and athletic performance by a senior. The Wolverines compiled a record of 41-3-1 during Heater's four years with the team and won or tied for the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship every season.
After completing his senior year at Michigan, Heater was selected to play as a running back for the Blue team in the 1974 Blue–Gray Football Classic.
Professional football
Heater was drafted by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the 10th round (241st overall pick) of the 1975 NFL Draft
1975 NFL Draft
The 1975 National Football League Draft was held on January 28–29, 1975.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
. He signed with the Saints in June 1975, but he was released in early September 1975, shortly before the opening game of the regular season.
Northern Arizona
When Heater was released by the Saints, he returned to Michigan for graduate work in educational psychology. In 1976, he learned from a friend about an opening on the coaching staff at Northern Arizona UniversityNorthern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
. He was hired as the offensive backfield coach working under head coach Joe Salem
Joe Salem
-External links:*...
. Heater took over a backfield that had fumbled 46 times in 1975. Under Heater's tutelage, the Northern Arizona backfield fumbled only 14 times in 1976. Northern Arizona running back Carl Golden also led the Big Sky Conference
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
in rushing in 1976.
Heater later recalled that he had no intention of coaching football when he graduated from Michigan. He said, "I found out it's what I know most about anyway — football. I found out it's really what I wanted to do. Coaching is suited to my abilities."
Toledo
In December 1976, after completing one season at Northern Arizona, Heater was hired by the University of ToledoUniversity of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
near his hometown of Tiffin, Ohio. At Toledo, he joined the staff of head coach Chuck Stobart
Chuck Stobart
-External links:...
who had coached Heater at Michigan. Heater spent five years on the Toledo coaching staff, working as the running backs coach from 1977–1978 and as the secondary coach from 1979–1981.
Wisconsin
In 1982, Heater was hired by WisconsinWisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
as the defensive backfield coach under head coach Dave McClain. Shortly after being hired at Wisconsin, Heater told a Wisconsin newspaper, "I don't think I'll be a legendary
coach, but I want to do my job and do it well. If I do those things, I'll get where I want to go. I'm not going to worry about tomorrow. I'll just do well today and things will take care of themselves." Heater remained at Wisconsin for three years.
Ohio State
In March 1985, Heater was hired by Ohio StateOhio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
as the secondary coach under head coach Earle Bruce
Earle Bruce
Earle Bruce is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Tampa , Iowa State University , Ohio State University , the University of Northern Iowa , and Colorado State University , compiling a career college football record of 154–90–2...
. He spent three years on Bruce's staff at Ohio State and left when Bruce was fired at the end of the 1987 season.
Notre Dame
In February 1988, Heater was hired as the defensive secondary coach at Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
under head coach Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
. He was on the Notre Dame coaching staff in 1988 when Notre Dame won its last national championship. He remained on Holtz's staff at Notre Dame for three years through the 1990 season.
Colorado State
In February 1991, Heater was hired as the defensive coordinator at Colorado State UniversityColorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
. He joined the staff of Earle Bruce under whom he had coached at Ohio State four years earlier. At the time of the hiring, Bruce said, "Chuck is an outstanding coach who will fit well in our program." Heater remained with Colorado State for two years but left after the 1992 season when Earl Bruce was fired as the team's head coach.
Colorado
In 1993, Heater was hired as the recruiting coordinator for the Colorado Buffaloes footballColorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
team. Colorado head coach Bill McCartney
Bill McCartney
William Paul McCartney is a former American football player and coach and the founder of the Promise Keepers men's ministry. He was the head coach at the University of Colorado from 1982 to 1994, where he compiled a record of 93–55–5 and won three consecutive Big Eight Conference...
had been an assistant coach at Michigan during Heater's senior year. In February 1994, after the NCAA eliminated the position of recruiting coordinator, McCartney hired Heater as his defensive secondary coach. In March 1995, Colorado's new head coach Rick Neuheisel
Rick Neuheisel
Richard Gerald "Rick" Neuheisel, Jr. , is an American football coach, former player, and attorney. He was most recently the head football coach at University of California, Los Angeles, a position he held from 2008 to 2011...
moved Heater to a new position as the team's tight ends coach. He remained the tight ends coach at Colorado for four years from 1995 to 1998 and also resumed his duties as recruiting coordinator in 1998.
Washington
In January 1999, Heater followed Rick Neuheisel to the University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, accepting a positions as cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Heater spent five years on the Washington coaching staff, though he moved to offense in 2002 as the running backs coach.
Utah
In February 2004, Heater joined new head coach Urban MeyerUrban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
as the defensive secondary coach at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
. Heater had worked with fellow Ohio native Meyer on Earl Bruce's staff at both Ohio State and Colorado State.
Florida
In February 2005, Heater followed Urban Meyer to the University of FloridaUniversity of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
as cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. In September 2006, Meyer said of Heater: "He's one of the best teachers. I used to just sit in his meetings and watch him coach." In the 2008 Capital One Bowl
2008 Capital One Bowl
The 2008 Capital One Bowl was held on January 1, 2008 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game featured the University of Michigan Wolverines—who finished the 2007 season tied for second in the Big Ten Conference with an overall record of 8–4 —and the #12 University of...
, Heater coached against the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
for the 14th time in his career. At the time, Heater told the press, "It's nothing new for me, but it's always a game I look forward to because I have a lot of respect for their program and who they are." After three years as the cornerbacks coach, Heater became the Gators assistant defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2008. In January 2010, Heater was promoted to co-defensive coordinator.
Temple
In 2011, Heater was hired as the defensive coordinator and defensive back's coach at Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
under new head coach Steve Addazio
Steve Addazio
Steve Addazio is an American college football coach and former player, and is head coach of the Temple Owls football team that represents Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
.
Heater has coached teams in 23 bowl games, including the 2007 and 2009 BCS National Championship Games.