James B. Higgins

James Benton Higgins Jr. (January 10, 1920 – June 6, 1991) was an American football player and coach and college athletics administrator. He played college football at Trinity University in Waxahachie, Texas and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for one season, in 1941, with the Chicago Cardinals. Higgins served as the head football coach at Lamar State College of Technology—now known as Lamar University—in Beaumont, Texas from 1953 to 1962, compiling a record of 59–38–4. He was also the athletic director at Lamar from 1963 to 1983.

James B. Higgins
Biographical details
Born(1920-01-10)January 10, 1920
Maypearl, Texas, U.S.
DiedJune 6, 1991(1991-06-06) (aged 71)
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
1938–1940Trinity (TX)
1941Chicago Cardinals
Position(s)Guard, linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1949–1952Lamar / Lamar Tech (assistant)
1953–1962Lamar Tech
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1963–1982Lamar Tech / Lamar
Head coaching record
Overall59–38–4
Bowls1–0
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 LSC (1957)

Higgins was an assistant coach at Lamar Tech for four seasons under Stan Lambert before succeeding him as head coach.[1] After playing with the Cardinals, Higgins entered the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of major.[2]

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Lamar Tech Cardinals (Lone Star Conference) (1953–1962)
1953 Lamar Tech 3–72–34th
1954 Lamar Tech 3–71–5T–6th
1955 Lamar Tech 4–62–4T–4th
1956 Lamar Tech 4–4–12–45th
1957 Lamar Tech 8–0–25–0–21st
1958 Lamar Tech 6–25–2T–2nd
1959 Lamar Tech 8–34–3T–3rd
1960 Lamar Tech 8–45–2T—2nd
1961 Lamar Tech 8–2–14–2–13rdW Tangerine
1962 Lamar Tech 7–34–34th
Lamar Tech: 59–38–434–28–3
Total:59–38–4
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. "Higgins Named New Lamar Tech Football Coach". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. United Press. December 5, 1952. p. 47. Retrieved November 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com open access.
  2. "James Higgins Is New Lamar Grid Mentor". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. December 8, 1952. p. 13. Retrieved November 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com open access.
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