‘A lot of positives’ at FHS; Higgins to Science Hill
During his five seasons coaching Farragut High School boys varsity basketball and both golf teams, “There were a lot of positives,” said Jon Higgins, who announced last week he accepted the boys varsity basketball head coaching job at Johnson City Science Hill, a tradition-rich program.
While Higgins coached the 2020 FHS boys golf team to a TSSAA Division I Large state championship, on top of leading the FHS Lady Admirals to a state runner-up finish in 2019 — not to mention guiding the 2021-22 boys basketball team to District 4-AAA regular season and tournament championships — the veteran high school coach and former Tennessee Vols hoops standout took a different approach when reflecting on his fondest memories.
On the basketball side, “I’m most impressed with the growth of the young men over the course of the five years we were there,” Higgins said. “To watch those guys grow up to become men, that’s always impressive.”
About his own influence on their growth, “I hoped they learned a thing or two,” the ex-Admirals skipper said.
“My plan (was) hard work, discipline, dedication. ... I am very grateful and blessed to have been there five years.
“I’m super-excited for the future for them — not only them, but for me and my family as well.” added Higgins, who with wife, Beth Higgins, have two children: Baylor, 8, and Belle, 3.
Moreover, “I can’t say anything negative about any of the time I was there,” the coach said.
In characterizing the basketball team’s success last year (final 25-9 record and a sectional tournament appearance), “A lot of those seniors, they grew from when they came in as freshmen and just continued to get better and work hard,” Higgins said. “You could see the results at the end of those four years.”
Praising members of his first FHS varsity hoops team in the 2017-18 season, “It starts with guys like that who set the tone and really put forth the effort initially for a new coach. That really helps change the culture,” he said.
On the golf side, “It’s such a rich tradition; it’s such a great job with a lot of really great kids,” Higgins said. “They work hard at their craft; in golf you have to work hard at your craft.”
Kind words, looking ahead
“We’re going to miss him,” FHS athletic director Donald Dodgen said about Higgins. “I really appreciate what Jon has done with the basketball program and the golf program.”
While Dodgen said the search continues for a new boys basketball coach, assistant golf coach Jason Mayfield will be interim golf head coach.
