Citadel Coach Kevin Higgins Loves The Game
Faith, Family, & Sports Drive Head Football Coach
By Jeff Walker, Sports Writer (Posted Aug '09)
Photos by Citadel Sports
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Citadel head football coach Kevin Higgins has taken many avenues during his thirty plus years in coaching. His journey began not far from his hometown in Emerson, New Jersey. "I graduated from West Chester University (Pennsylvania) in 1977 and took my first job at my old high school. I spent two years there and coached basketball and football."
After cutting his teeth with his alma mater Higgins moved on to North Warren High School in Blairstown, New Jersey. There he coached basketball, football, and baseball, three sports he lettered in during his high school days. "I love athletics and I have enjoyed coaching and playing all three sports. What I like about coaching is it allows me to have a positive influence on kids and teach life long lessons." Higgins spent two seasons at North Warren as the head basketball and baseball coach as well as assistant football coach. "It was a rather remote high school in rural New Jersey, but it was a great opportunity to get head coaching experience."
During his time at North Warren Higgins married, and he and his wife continued their education by attending East Stroudsburg University. Higgins earned his masters degree in physical education in 1981. "I was ready to take the next step. I wanted to coach at the college level." Higgins' wife Kay was pursuing her own career in coaching as well. Kay Higgins is a former collegiate head basketball coach at Gettysburg College.
"I sent resumes to many schools but did not get the ideal situation. My wife and I had a deal at the time that the first one of us to get a full-time position we would go there. She was offered a position at Gettysburg College, so we up and moved there." It was in Gettysburg that Higgins collegiate career began to take shape. He took an assistant coaching job with Gettysburg College and stayed on from 1981-84.
Moving forward Higgins spent three years with the Richmond Spiders before landing at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Higgins spent a total of 13 seasons at Lehigh, seven as the head coach, earning a GTE 'Coach of the Year' honor in 1999 and leading the Mountain Hawks to two undefeated seasons. During his tenure at Lehigh, Higgins went (56-25-1) as head coach and claimed four Patriot League Championships.
"Taking the position with Lehigh proved to be one of the best moves during my career. I was fortunate to coach some really good kids during my time there." Eager to familiarize himself with the NFL, Higgins participated in summer intern programs the Philadelphia Eagles were conducting at Lehigh. There Higgins learned the West Coast offense from former Tampa Bay Buccaneer head coach Jon Gruden.
"I've always been one of those types that is eager to learn, especially when it involves what I do. I think it's important for me to know as much about coaching as I can." His internship and success with Lehigh University proved favorable when Higgins took his first coaching position in the NFL, with the Detroit Lions.
"I spent four seasons with the Lions. The first three as the quarterback coach." During his time in Detroit Higgins helped develop first round draft pick Joey Harrington. Higgins spent his final season with Detroit as the receivers coach. "I've held several different coaching positions during my career and I feel they've all been a learning tool for me. The more you know at each level the better it is when you're a head coach." The major difference Higgins sees between the pros and the college is the most obvious one. "At the professional level it's all about business."
Coming full circle to his arrival at the Citadel, Higgins was once again ready to tackle the college ranks and admits he was looking southward. "At the time I was looking for a head coaching position and the Citadel was among a few that had an opening. My wife and I were hoping to get down south because our son was playing football at the University of Florida and we liked the climate."
Prior to the call Higgins had never set foot in the lowcountry. "I had never been here until I came for the interview. To tell you the truth I wasn't even that familiar with the Citadel. All I knew is that it was a military school near the beach in the south. And all I knew about the Southern Conference was the two times I coached Lehigh against Wofford. So it really was a whole new experience for me."
Higgins and his wife jumped at the opportunity to be down south and closer to their son, but soon found Charleston had more to offer. "We fell in love right away. There's so much to do in Charleston. We love the downtown area and all the great restaurants. You really can't beat the weather and it's great to have access to so many golf courses."
A golf enthusiast Higgins says he only gets to play during the late spring and early summer months. "The rest of the year I'm focused on football. My workdays start at around 6am and sometimes go until 10pm. After the season is over I'm busy with recruiting." Citadel head basketball coach Ed Conroy admits it takes a special young man to come to the military school and Higgins agrees.
"Young men who commit to the Citadel have to be academically, mentally, and physically tough. When I was with Lehigh the students concerned themselves with academics and athletics. At the Citadel you have three areas of focus, academics, athletics, and the Corps. So it really does take a special young man to be able to handle all three. Since I've been here I've been impressed with the fine young men that I seen come through."
Higgins just began his fifth year with the Citadel Bulldogs. During his first four years he amassed a 20-18 record against non FBS teams. "I feel as though we have made progress. This is a special place. I've been at this now for over three decades and I feel as though I'm in the place God wants me to be. There is still much work to be done. Our goal is to build a championship program. We will not be satisfied until we do that.”
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