Andy Heck is in his fifth season as the Jaguars offensive line coach and his seventh season with the organization. A former NFL player and collegiate coach, Heck joined the Jaguars coaching staff on February 9, 2004 as the offensive assistant/assistant offensive line coach. He spent the 2005 season as Jaguars assistant offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive line coach on February 1, 2006. This is Heck’s 19th season in the NFL including 12 years as a player.
In 2009 Heck was charged with integrating two promising rookies into the lineup, and first-round draft choice Eugene Monroe made 13 starts at left tackle while second-rounder Eben Britton started 15 games at right tackle. The two rookies’ appearance in the opening day starting lineup distinguished them at the first pair of rookie tackles to start an opener since 1982 when Luis Sharpe and Tootie Robbins started for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 2008 the Jaguars line was decimated at the outset when starting guards Maurice Williams and Vince Manuwai were lost to season-ending injuries on opening day at Tennessee. Center Brad Meester missed the first six games with a biceps injury before joining the lineup.
Under Heck the line paved the way to the two highest single-season rushing totals in franchise history and two of three lowest sack totals in 2006 and 2007. The Jaguars set the single-season franchise-record for rushing yards (2,541) in 2006 and allowed only 30 sacks, the second-fewest in team history. The Jaguars rushed for a franchise-record 375 yards against Indianapolis on December 10. In 2007, the line led the way for 2,391 rushing yards (149.4), the most in the AFC and second-highest total in the NFL. The Jaguars allowed only 31 sacks, the third-fewest in franchise history.
Heck served three seasons on the University of Virginia coaching staff, the first two seasons as a graduate assistant and the final year as tight ends coach. He tutored All-America tight end Heath Miller, who set numerous Atlantic Coast Conference records for a tight end in receiving and scoring. An outstanding blocker, Miller was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005.
Prior to joining the Virginia staff, Heck played in the NFL for 12 seasons (1989-2000) as a standout offensive lineman. He finished his playing career with the Washington Redskins, where he played for two seasons. As the starting left tackle in 1999, he blocked for an offense that ranked second in the NFL. From 1994 to 1998 Heck was a five-year starter for the Chicago Bears. In 1995, he gave up no sacks as part of an offensive line that yielded the fewest sacks in the NFL.
Heck was drafted in the first round (15th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks, where he was a unanimous All-Rookie selection in 1989. A five-year starter with the Seahawks, he played five seasons including three without missing a snap.
Heck's fifth-grade teacher, Marylou Winkler of Annandale, Va., was named NFL Teacher of the Year in January of 1994, after being nominated by Heck. She received $5,000 from the NFL and the school received a $10,000 scholarship in both of their names.
A 1989 graduate of Notre Dame, Heck received a bachelor's degree in American studies. A first-team All-America selection, he co-captained the 1988 national championship team that finished 12-0. Heck was a tight end for his first three seasons at Notre Dame before moving to tackle in spring drills in his senior season.
Heck was born January 1, 1967, in Fargo, North Dakota. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four children: Jonathan, Charlie, Molly and Evelyn, and live in Ponte Vedra Beach.
COACHING
BACKGROUND
Virginia 2001-03, Jacksonville Jaguars 2004-10