Football
- Title:
- Defensive Backs Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Defense
Keith Heyward is in his second year (2014-15) at USC as the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. He joined the USC staff in December of 2013.
In 2014, safety-outside linebacker Su’a Cravens made Sophomore All-American first team and All-Pac-12 first team, while cornerback-wide receiver-returner Adoree’ Jackson was a Freshman All-American first teamer. Cornerback-safety Josh Shaw was a fourth round NFL draftee. USC played in the 2014 Holiday Bowl.
He was Washington's secondary coach the previous 2 seasons (2012-13). UW's pass defense in 2012 ranked 23rd nationally. He coached safety Sean Parker, who had 11 career interceptions. The Huskies played in the 2012 Las Vegas Bowl and 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl (he did not coach in the Fight Hunger Bowl).
Before Washington, he was the secondary coach for 4 seasons (2008-11) at Oregon State, his alma mater. He coached such future NFL players Brandon Hughes, Keenan Lewis, Brandon Hardin, Al Afalava, James Dockery and Suaesi Tuimaunei. The Beavers played in the 2008 Sun Bowl and 2009 Las Vegas Bowl.
Before that, he was the linebackers coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2007 after serving as a graduate assistant at Oregon State for 2 seasons (2005-06), working with the cornerbacks the first season and the next with the defensive line when the Beavers played in the Sun Bowl.
Heyward, 36, was a 4-year (1997-2000) letterwinning cornerback for the Beavers, earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention as a senior when he played in the 2 bowls, including the 2001 Fiesta Bowl, and the all-star Hula Bowl. He started 35 consecutive games.
He earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Oregon State in 2002.
He played professionally for the BC Lions in the CFL (2001), the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe (2002) and the L.A. Avengers in the Arena League (2004).
He prepped at Taft High in Woodland Hills (Calif.).
He and his wife, Cameo, have a daughter, Kendyl, 2.
HEYWARD SNAPSHOT
FAMILY: Wife, Cameo; Daughter, Kendyl, 2
HIGH SCHOOL: Taft HS, Woodland Hills, Calif.
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, communications, Oregon State, 2002
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Taft HS, Woodland Hills, Calif.
Oregon State, cornerback, 1997-2000
BC Lions, defensive back, 2001
Scottish Claymores, defensive back, 2002
Los Angeles Avengers, cornerback, 2004
COACHING EXPERIENCE: 10 years
| YEAR | TEAM | POSITION | BOWL |
| 2005 | Oregon State | Graduate Assistant (Cornerbacks) | -- |
| 2006 | Oregon State | Graduate Assistant (Defensive Line) | Sun |
| 2007 | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | Linebackers | -- |
| 2008 | Oregon State | Secondary | Sun |
| 2009 | Oregson State | Secondary | Las Vegas |
| 2010 | Oregon State | Secondary | -- |
| 2011 | Oregon State | Secondary | -- |
| 2012 | Washington | Secondary | Las Vegas |
| 2013 | Washington | Secondary | Fight Hunger* |
| 2014 | USC | Def. Backs/Pass Game Coord. Defense | Holiday |
NFL STARS: Brandon Hughes, Keenan Lewis, Al Afalava
