Jeff Higgins

Bio

Coach Higgs enters his first season with the Wranglers. He brings championship-level experience as both a player and coach across the CFL, arena football, collegiate, and high school levels. Most recently, he spent two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, culminating in a Grey Cup Championship in 2025. During his tenure, Higgins helped lead one of the league's most dominant special teams units—ranking first in special teams tackles (159) and second in average kickoff distance (68.1) in his first season. In 2025, the Roughriders did not allow a single kickoff or punt return touchdown and led the CFL in average kickoff return yards (24.89).

Higgins began his coaching career at Ithaca College, working with quarterbacks, and has since held leadership roles, including Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Principal, and Director. Prior to the CFL, he served multiple stints with the Orlando Predators, including Head Coach (2022) and roles overseeing special teams, wide receivers, and strength and conditioning. He has also coordinated special teams and coached quarterbacks in elite postseason events such as the FCS Bowl and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.

At the grassroots level, Higgins spent a decade as head coach at Corinth Central School (NY), guiding the program to four playoff appearances—a remarkable turnaround for a school that had reached the postseason just once since 1979 prior to his arrival. He has also coached high school football in Florida, including assisting his last team, Dr. Phillips High School (8A), to a State Playoff appearance.

As a player, Higgins starred at Ithaca College, earning two All-American selections as a kick returner and graduating as the school's all-time leading receiver at the time of graduation. Furthermore, he obtained an induction into the Capital Region Hall of Fame (NY). His professional playing career spanned the IFL, AFL, and AF2, where he earned multiple honors, including Ironman, MVP, and Defensive Player of the Game multiple times. He was also a Ford Tough Player of the Year nominee. He retired in 2006 as a First Team All-Arena kick returner and transitioned immediately into coaching.

Across his career, Higgins has consistently competed at the highest levels—reaching multiple arena football semifinals as a player (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 – all with different teams) and capturing a CFL championship as a coach. He brings a proven championship mindset, deep developmental expertise, and a passion for mentoring athletes to Prescott Valley as the Wranglers prepare for the 2026 season