Coach O'Neal's football career began at Mt. Carmel High School located in Chicago, IL where his teammates included Donavan McNabb and Simeon Rice. After high school, O'Neal's athletic ability earned him a football athletic scholarship to Western Michigan University from 1993-1997. During his college career, O'Neal started 34 of 41 collegiate games and finished his college career ranked 2nd in his school's history in pass break-ups.

During his senior season in 1997, O'Neal was ranked 1st in the MAC conference in pass break-ups and led his team with 85 total tackles and 4 interceptions. O'Neal was a member of the Student Athletic Council Rep in 1996, honorable mention/coaches Award in 1997, and also was honorable mention All-Conference/Coaches Award in 1997. Because of Heron O'Neal's honors, awards, and activities he was invited to the National Combine in 1998 where he was one of only 330 players in the country invited to perform in front of NFL coaches and scouts.

 Also, O'Neal's educational background is having a B.S. from Western Michigan University located in Kalamazoo, MI where he majored in Exercise Science and minored in Sociology. O'Neal was then selected in 1998 as a free agent rookie to the Jacksonville Jaguars where he participated as a practice squad player. After remaining on the practice squad for most of the season, O'Neal was signed off of Jacksonville's practice squad to compete for a roster spot in training camp. After being released by Jacksonville Jaguars, O'Neal was signed by the Chicago Bears in 1999. In 2000, O'Neal rebound his football career in the Arena Football League (AFL) where he played for the Milwaukee Mustangs from 2000-2001. As a Milwaukee Mustang, O'Neal started 21 of 28 games as a Defensive Specialist. In 2000, O'Neal recorded 13 pass break-ups, 48 total tackles, and 2 interceptions. In 2001,O'Neal led his team with 18 pass break-ups, and finished 2nd with 58 tackles. In 2002, O'Neal went on to play for the Mohegan Wolves who are apart of Arena Football League 2 (AFL2) where he started 16 of 16 games as a Defensive Specialist. He was voted Team Defensive MVP leading the Wolves' with 26 pass break-ups, 6 interceptions, and ranked 2nd on the team with 57 tackles. In 2003, O'Neal moved on to play for the Green Bay Blizzard Arena Football team (AFL2). O'Neal started 6 of 6 games as a Defensive Specialist before sustaining a career ending shoulder injury. In 2004, O'Neal spent time rehabbing from multiple shoulder surgeries before moving on in 2005 as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator for the Wyoming Cavalry in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL). Coach O'Neal assisted the team in turning around their record from 5-9 in 2004, to a franchise best 10-4 in 2005, and a first round playoff birth. Unfortunately, they fell short losing to Tri-Cities who would eventually become 2005 NIFL Champions. In 2006, Coach O'Neal was offered a Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator position for the Billings Outlaws in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) where he assisted the team turn around their record from 4-10 in 2005, to a franchise best 16-1 in 2006, also including a NIFL Championship. In 2007, Coach O'Neal continued his career as Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator for the Billings Outlaws in the United Indoor Football League (UIFL) where he led his team to the 2007 Western Conference Finals. This 2008 season brings promise as Coach O'Neal progresses his coaching career in Billings as the Outlaws Head Coach.