Tom Higgins

[edit] Biography

Entering his 1st season back with the Stampeders Tom lead the new look team to a second place finish in the Western Division with an impressive 11-7 record. Entering the playoffs there was no team with a better finishing record, as the Stamps would win 7 of their last 8 regular season games. On November 13 the Red and White would host the Scotiabank Western Semifinal against Higgins’ previous team, the Edmonton Eskimos. Despite dominating the game the Eskimos came out on top taking advantage of several turnovers. After an amazing turnaround season for the organization Higgins was honoured with the 2005 CFL Coach of the Year Award (2nd time in his career).

Before joining the Stampeders, Higgins led the Eskimos for four seasons which included a victory in the 2003 Grey Cup at Taylor Field vs the defending Grey Cup Champion Montreal Alouettes. It was the organization’s first championship win in a decade.

He led the team to two straight Grey Cup appearances and three first place finishes in the CFL Western Division. In 2003 Higgins was recognized with the CFL Coach of the Year Award for the first time in his career. The previous season he was one of three finalists.

Tom was named the Eskimos Head Coach on June 18th, 2001. Prior to being named Head Coach Tom spent four seasons as the clubs General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. In 1993 Tom joined the Eskimos as assistant general manager.

Prior to joining the Eskimos, Tom joined the Calgary Stampeder Football Club in various capacities (Special Teams Coordinator, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at various times during his time with the Red and White. Tom has been a strong supporter over the years of the Alberta Minor Football program and has been instrumental in organizing evaluation camps and high school clinics, as well as the Varsity Stars 2000 program for Canadian university football players. Tom has also been involved with Football 101 and 202 programs teaching the football basics to women in the community.

As a player, Tom was an All-Conference and All-American in both football and wrestling at North Carolina State University and was captain of both teams. Coached by Lou Holtz, Tom participated in four consecutive bowl games.

His pro career started as a linebacker with Calgary in 1976. He then jumped to the Buffalo Bills under head coach Chuck Knox of the NFL before returning to Canada in 1980 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Tom’s father played in the NFL in the 1950’s with Chicago and Philadelphia, followed by 45 years coaching high school football.

Tom retired as a player in 1981 and moved into the coaching ranks at Calgary’s Crescent Heights High School. Tom coached with the University of Calgary from 1982-1984, helping the U of C to two conference championships and the Canadian title in 1983.

Away from football, Tom is a highly sought after motivational speaker who works with business and community groups. Tom and his wife Sharon have three children Holly, Hillary and Thomas Russell.

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