Tom Higgins (Canadian football)

Thomas Joseph John Higgins Jr. (born July 13, 1954 in Colonia, New Jersey) is the Director of Officiating for the Canadian Football League and a former Canadian and American football player and coach.

Early years
Higgins, the son of a former Philadelphia Eagles tackle, Tom Higgins, Sr., was a high school football standout at Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. He played linebacker at North Carolina State University. He was an All-American and was a starter in four consecutive bowl games. He was also an All-American wrestler at NC State.

Professional playing career
After graduating from college in 1976, Higgins attempted to enter the National Football League, but was not selected in the 1976 NFL Draft. He instead played in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders for three years. In 1979, Higgins was signed by the Buffalo Bills and played one year in the United States, before returning to Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL.

Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Higgins began coaching at the University of Calgary, winning the 1983 CIS title in the second of his three years as head coach. In 1985, Higgins joined the Stampeders coaching staff, serving in many different capacities until becoming a head coach in 2001.

Higgins became head coach of the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos that year, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his fourth season. In 2002 and 2003, he won division titles, and he won a single Grey Cup as a head coach, with the Eskimos in 2003.

In 2005 he returned to the Calgary Stampeders as head coach. He held this position for three years, making the playoffs in each, but with the team's record also declining each season. He was fired after a first round loss during the 2007 playoffs. Higgins is currently Head of Officiating in the CFL.

Personal
He has a wife and three children, one of whom is also named Thomas. His two others named Holly and Hilary. His brother, Dan Higgins, played football at North Carolina State, as well. He is currently the head football coach at Piscataway High School in New Jersey. Tom and Dan's father, Tom Higgins, played in the NFL for the Chicago Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. Tom Sr. was a legendary coach at Piscataway High School prior to his son, Dan, coaching there. Tom Sr. resides in Piscataway with his wife, Sedora.