By John Knebels • Posted October 24, 2024

Getting Jon Heisman to elaborate on his copious career accomplishments usually ends up as a futile exercise.

Despite having orchestrated a legendary career that’s still going strong, the Bishop Shanahan boys’ lacrosse coach prefers to focus on his players and assistant coaches.

Heisman, however, could not avoid the spotlight after finding out in June that he would be inducted into the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association (NILC) Hall of Fame.

The formal introduction took place Oct. 12 in Jericho, N.Y.

“I was always involved in sports, having played three sports in high school, and I majored in health and physical education (at Ithaca College), so I had it in my DNA,” said Heisman, 67. “I started coaching the year after I graduated. Being a teacher for 37 years gave me the perfect timing to continue my passion.”

Since plying his trade in high school, Heisman has mentored more victories than any other boys’ coach in state history. At Bishop Shanahan since 2010, Heisman will enter next season with 533 wins. His record-setting 513^th – which toppled former La Salle College High School coach Bill Leahy’s 512 – occurred on April 15, 2023.

After winning a state title at Springfield (Delco) in 1992 and reaching four state finals, followed by a six-year stint at West Chester East, Heisman led Shanahan to consecutive PIAA Class AA state crowns in 2018 and 2019. The Eagles reached the Final Four in 2021.

When speaking with Heisman, it becomes immediately clear that coaching success is less measured on the playing surface than in the human experiences fashioned along the way.

“The most satisfying part of coaching has been the friendships and relationships developed over the years,” said Heisman. “I have had numerous former players come back and coach with me and have had the privilege of coaching sons of former players.”

Heisman singled out 31-year assistant coach Paul Meyers as “the most remarkable person I have been honored to coach with.”

Now the Shanahan athletic director and 25-year football coach, Meyers ironically used the same word to describe Heisman.

“Being Jon’s assistant coach for over 30 years has been an honor,” said Meyers. “Yes, Jon is the winningest coach in (Pennsylvania) history, and that is amazing. However, more importantly, think of how many lives he has had a positive influence on. He has an assistant coach who has been with him for over 30 years and he has five other coaches on his staff who he coached. When old players come back and want to coach with you, it speaks volumes.”

Already a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Heisman hadn’t given any thought about a possible second induction.

“When I heard the news, I was honored,” he said. “At the same time, I was humbled to be mentioned in the same conversation as the greats that have come before me.”

For aspiring coaches, Heisman offered some wisdom mixed with idealism and realism.

“The most common denominators these days are to make sure you have a love of the sport and to make sure you want to make a difference in a child’s life,” said Heisman.

“There are many obstacles, including administrative barriers, parental interference, time restraints and, unfortunately, very little compensation for your work.”

Those difficulties have yet to deter Heisman.

“I have a lot of years left to continue my passion,” he said. “I hope to coach for many more years, God willing.”

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Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels