Skip to main content

Ex-USC assistant Keith Heyward joining coaching staff at Louisville

Former USC defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Keith Heyward is joining the Louisville coaching staff, according to a source.

Former USC defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Keith Heyward is joining the staff of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, according to a source.

This past season was Heyward’s second in his positions at USC. A strong West Coast recruiter, he helped tutor Trojans stars Adoree’ Jackson and Su’a Cravens. The latter announced last month he is forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter April’s NFL Draft.

Prior to USC, Heyward was Washington’s secondary coach for two seasons. In his first season with the Huskies, they finished 23rd nationally in pass defense.

• SI tracks the latest NFL draft declarations around the country

Heyward was the secondary coach at his alma mater, Oregon State, from 2008–11 following a year as Cal Poly’s linebackers coach. He got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Oregon State from 2005–06.

He was a cornerback in the CFL (2001), NFL Europe (2002) and Arena League (2004) after playing for the Beavers from 1997–2000.

Louisville had an 8–5 record this season, which includes a 27–21 win over Texas A&M in the Music City Bowl. Petrino has a 17–9 record in his return to Louisville the last two seasons and a 58–18 record at the school overall.