Breaking: Offensive Coordinator Jeff Hecklinski Parts Ways With Aztecs
Under Jeff Hecklinski the Aztecs offense reached the BOTTOM in passing offense among 131 FBS teams.
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In their 100th anniversary season, OC Jeff Hecklinski produced the worst Aztecs offensive performance in decades.
San Diego, CA- It was announced that Jeff Hecklinski is no longer the San Diego State Aztecs offensive coordinator.
Details have not yet emerged whether he voluntarily stepped down or was asked to go. The change does not surprise SDSU Aztecs fans.
Running backs coach Jeff Horton will step in and retake the responsibility as interim offensive coordinator. Horton was the Aztecs’ OC for five years under Aztecs coach Rocky Long before taking a step back and becoming running backs coach when Hoke took the helm in 2020 and hired Hecklinski.
This is San Diego State’s 100th season, and after a 12-2 season, fans had high hopes that this season would be special, continuing to support SDSU’s resume to enter Power Five ranks at a time of conference upheaval. So far, the Aztecs have struggled to win, and their offensive performance is openly described as appalling.
Under Hecklinski, the Aztecs have found themselves with an entirely new lineup of quarterbacks, after last season’s lineup exited the team. Recent indicators suggest that last year’s play callers including still-eligible Lucas Johnson were not invited back.
A lot of hype was mounted around starting quarterback Braxton Burmeister, who was brought in to take the helm as lead play caller. He was expected to unleash a new air game, and to run for the chains when necessary- along with second string freshman quarterback Will Haskell, who was billed as the true future of the Aztecs quarterback position.
Instead, Burmeister seems incapable of effectively connecting to two of San Diego State’s most dynamic wide receivers in recent history, and struggles to convert third downs. Haskell quit the Aztecs and entered the transfer portal.
Burmeister has been injured three times in five games and is currently concussed; Haskell no longer plays for the Aztecs, third string freshman quarterback Kyle Crum has a broken collarbone- and current options for the Aztecs involve hoping fourth-string and final scholarship quarterback Liu Aumavae stays healthy and becomes better.
Even before this sequence of misfortunes, the Aztecs were struggling to mobilize their offense, with many of this season’s point being scored by Special Teams, including all 13 points against Boise State on Friday, September 30th.
Also notable, the Aztecs barely beat Toledo, and the difference maker was Burmeister coming alive on the final drive with under three minutes to go. Some speculate he ditched Hecklinski’s playbook and got the job done.
The San Diego State Aztecs now have a chance to right the ship, and the Aztec Nation wishes Jeff Hecklinski all the best.
