OSKALOOSA — The leader of two national championship teams, Steven Heaton has announced his retirement as head coach of the William Penn shotgun sports program.
Heaton, who guided the Statesmen to the 2022 ACUI Division IV and 2023 NCSSAA Division IV national titles, was hired as the program’s first skipper during the summer of 2019.
“Being involved with this sport for 17 years, I can easily say that coaching at William Penn has been my greatest accomplishment,” Heaton said. “I cannot thank the University enough for trusting me to build this program; the belief in me is above anything I have ever experienced. Coaching young adults at this level is a true test of anyone’s ability. I am so proud that we were able to succeed on the range, while also excelling academically as well. That really shows the great student-athletes we have had here the last few years.”
Recruiting and retaining a talented roster, he immediately made William Penn a powerhouse with five tournament titles in its first season of competition in 2020-2021. The team’s campaign was headlined by an Iowa SCTP title. It started the current run of four consecutive state championships.
Under his leadership, WPU made an incredible leap in its second year, taking home eight separate team titles, including the ACUI national crown.
Nearly perfect in 2022-2023, the navy and gold again claimed first-place trophies in eight separate meets with the NCSSAA title topping the chart. Fifteen All-America honors were won by Statesmen shooters that season.
Untouchable during the regular season, the Statesmen won seven titles in seven meets this year. Knowing his team was capable of battling with the best in the sport, this March Heaton placed the navy and gold in Division I for ACUI Nationals. The Statesmen proved they deserve to be considered among the best, regardless of division, finishing third behind only perennial powers Lindenwood (Mo.) and Texas A&M.
“I want to also thank my family for letting me live out my passion,” Heaton said. “My kids have been so understanding when I am gone all the time, while my wife Kendra is a true hero for holding everything together and keeping me calm on more than a few occasions. Stepping away from something you truly love is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it is time for someone else to take over the program and continue the success.”
Seven of Heaton’s shooters garnered All-America recognition in 2023-2024. Not only outstanding athletes, the Statesmen were also exceptional scholars as 17 individuals (most of any team in the nation) received Academic Achievements laurels this year.
“We are so grateful to have had Coach Heaton pioneer our shotgun sports program,” William Penn Athletics Director Aleesha Rabedeaux said. “He has built the program into a national championship-caliber team, but more importantly has cultivated an incredible culture, producing high-achieving individuals both in the classroom and on the range. Coach Heaton will certainly be missed amongst not only our athletic department, but our entire University. Our sincerest thank you to Coach Heaton for his time and dedication while leading our shotgun sports program.”
A search for Heaton’s replacement will begin immediately.
