Adams State University Athletics

Former Grizzly Head Football Coach Marty Heaton spent 14 years as a coach for Adams State after having a stellar career as a defensive back for the Grizzlies from 1978-1981.
 
As a player, Heaton was voted the Most Inspirational Player on the 1980 RMAC Champion and Hall of Fame Team, where he finished as the second-leading tackler with 100 tackles. In addition, he led the team in pass breakups with 12 and had seven takeaways, including four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Because of his accolades, he was named RMAC All-Conference twice and made the Academic All-District and All-American teams.
 
At the helm of the Grizzlies, Heaton served as an Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator from 2000 to 2006 before taking over as the head coach from 2008-2014. During his stint as the Head Coach, the Grizzlies went 42-35, the second most wins overall and the most in NCAA Division II (1992-Present) history. He is ranked No. 6 in ASU history with a .519 winning percentage.
 
Touting one of the most respected and dominant defenses in Division II, Heaton's defense in 2004 was named the Division II Defense of the Year. The Grizzlies led the nation in sacks at 65 in 2007 and led the nation in takeaways at 40 in 2012. In addition, the Grizzlies led the RMAC in total defense eight times, led the conference in pass defense seven times, led the conference in sacks four times, had the best scoring defense in the conference, and led the conference in takeaways three times each.
 
He also coached high school football at Highlands Ranch and ThnderRidge, where his teams won eight league titles and one state championship while garnering four Coach of the Year awards. He has been inducted into both high school's Halls of Fame.