Bluejays Look to the Past for Next Head Football Coach
Elmhurst University announced on Feb. 14 that EU alumnus and former Assistant Football Coach Mike Heffernan will be returning to the Langhorst field as the next head football coach of the Bluejays.
“We are very excited to bring someone who truly believes in the mission of Elmhurst University,” said Glen Brittich, athletic director of EU. “And is excited to create a great experience for our student-athletes.”
Heffernan will be the 22nd head coach in program history, assuming the role the day the hire was announced. Heffernan played for the Bluejays from 2004 to 2006 after transferring from Illinois State University. While playing for the Bluejays, he was awarded a second team All Conference nod for defensive end in his senior season.
“It feels great to be back,” said Heffernan, new head football coach for EU. “Elmhurst University is home for me and now home for my family as well!”
After college, Heffernan went into coaching where he spent most of his time on the offensive side of the ball. Starting as a graduate assistant at Northern State University, he then moved to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as the offensive line coach. He held the same role at The College of St. Scholastica. He found his way back to campus in 2013 serving as the offensive line coach before moving up to be the offensive coordinator in 2015. Then moving to Saint Anselm College for two seasons before a second stint at St. Scholastica where he was the head coach for seven seasons.
“This job, being the head football coach here at Elmhurst University is extremely special. My experience as a student-athlete here is the sole reason why I wanted to coach college football,” said Heffernan. “This job has always been one that I have been working towards. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be the head coach, to lead a program so near and dear to so many.”
During his time at the helm for St. Scholastica, Heffernan went 16-32. He led them through a change in conferences as they went from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Between the two conferences, Heffernan had 14 All Conference players.
Heffernan also has recruiting experience as he was the recruiting coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Elmhurst University.
“We look for an individual who is integral in the recruitment, retention, and holistic development of our student-athletes,” said Brittich, expounding upon the hiring process.
The EU football team is coming off a 3-7 season, the most wins since 2016, and finished in 8th place in the CCIW above Carthage and Millikin, the highest finish since the 2017 season. Last year’s team also had three All Conference players. Jacob Cockrell, a junior, was named to the first team All Conference. Taveon Porter, a junior, and Chris Reaves, a senior, were named to the second team All Conference.
The Bluejays’ former head coach Mike Murray stepped down in January after two seasons, finishing with a 5-15 record. Murray has taken over as the defensive coordinator for conference rival Illinois Wesleyan University.
“Elmhurst is a very special place,” said Brittich. “We are really excited to have a head coach who understands what it is like to be a Bluejay student-athlete.”