Higgins, 40, joins the Whitworth staff for the 2025 season. He most recently served as the goalkeeper coach for Spokane Velocity of USL League One. Prior to that, he was the Director of Goalkeeping for FC Tucson (2022) and Head Coach of Tucson’s Pro Academy (2021). Higgins also spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with North Idaho College Men’s Soccer and Gonzaga University Men’s Soccer in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference from 2008–2019. His additional coaching experience includes time as a Goalkeeper Coach for the Olympic Development Program West Region, Director of Goalkeeping for the Timbers–Thorns North FC youth club, and the Spokane Shadow youth soccer club.
A native of Kailua, Hawai’i, Higgins signed with the LA Galaxy in 2008 after an open tryout, but his playing career was cut short by a season-ending foot injury. In 2011, he joined FC Tucson as the starting goalkeeper for the club’s Desert Diamond Cup campaign, appearing in matches against MLS side New York Red Bulls and the Arizona Sahuaros. At the collegiate level, Higgins was a standout at Gonzaga University, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. That season, he posted the second best single-season goals-against average (0.71) in program history. Over his career, he recorded a 1.34 GAA (third all-time) and ranks second in career shutouts (14). The 6- foot-3 goalkeeper started 70 of 72 matches and logged more than 6,500 minutes during his time with the Zags. Higgins holds a USSF “C” License, a BA in Sports Management, and a Master’s in Sport and Athletic Administration. He is also the proud father of his daughter, Kamiya.
