Calgary Stampeder Football Club names Tom Higgins Senior Vice-President of Football Operations/Head
January 14, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release
Tom Higgins re-joins the Stampeder Football Club after leading the Edmonton Eskimos the past four seasons as the club's Head Coach. During his tenure, Tom lead the Eskimos to 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.
During his fours years, he lead the team to two straight Grey Cup appearances and three first place finishes in the CFL Western Division. In 2002, Tom was named one of the finalists for the Coach of the Year Award. The following season Tom was recognized again, and won the Award for Coach of the Year.
Tom a native of Colonia, New Jersey, was named the Eskimos Head Coach on June 18th, 2001. Prior to being named Head Coach Tom spent four seasons as the club's 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 with 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 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 1982-84, helping the U of C to win 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. He also coaches high school wrestling and enjoys woodworking.
Tom and his wife Sharon have three children Holly, Hillary and Thomas Russell.
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Canadian Football League Stories from January 14, 2005
- Calgary Stampeder Football Club names Darrell Moir Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Operations - Calgary Stampeders
- Schwartz re-joins red and white - Calgary Stampeders
- Calgary Stampeder Football Club names Tom Higgins Senior Vice-President of Football Operations/Head - Calgary Stampeders
- Calgary Stampeder Football Club name Denny Creehan Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Calgary Stampeders
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