Will Headen had been with the RPI since 1989, and returned in 2012 to his position as an assistant coach for the Rensselaer football team.
Headen, in his 22nd year on the sidelines in Troy, began his coaching career with the Engineers in 1989 when he worked with the linebackers. He moved to the defensive line, ends in particular, for the next five years before moving to offense. He coached the running backs for two years in the late 1990s, a time in which the team's running game enjoyed its most successful seasons in the history of the program. Headen then moved back to defense, coaching the secondary or linebackers over the next 13 seasons. He returned to campus in 2012 after taking 2011 off from coaching.
As a player Headen, a native of Baltimore, Md., was a standout linebacker and defensive end for four years with the Engineers. He notched 222 career tackles, including a team-leading 111 as a senior in 1988. In addition, he finished his collegiate career as the school record holder for sacks in a game with 3.5. He accomplished that feat against St. Lawrence University in his final season when he helped the team to a then-school record seven wins.
