John Higgins - Men's Soccer Coach - Xavier University Athletics

John Higgins

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
higginsj5@xavier.edu
Phone:
513.745.3879

John Higgins was named the seventh men's soccer head coach in program history on March 28, 2022. Higgins joined the Musketeers from the University of Indianapolis where he compiled a 150-56-29 overall record in 12 seasons with the Greyhounds.

In 2024, the defense post a 1.12 team goals against average, ranking ninth in single-season school history and 57th in the NCAA. Xavier also posted seven shutouts, ranking tied for eighth in single-season school history and tied for 33rd in the NCAA.

Matthew Senanou was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the MLS SuperDraft 2025 on Dec. 20 as the sixth overall pick (first round) in the draft, becoming the highest MLS Draft pick in program history.

The Musketeers defeated No. 2 Marshall, 2-0, at Corcoran Field on Aug. 29 - only one of two losses during the season for the national runner-up Thundering Herd. Xavier also had one player earn All-BIG EAST Honors and four players named to the 2024 CSC Academic All-District® Team.

In 2023, Higgins led the Musketeers to the program's first BIG EAST Championship - defeating No. 3 Georgetown in the tournament championship via penalty kicks to earn the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Xavier advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2014. The Musketeers also had two top-25 wins during the season.

The Musketeers had two players earn All-BIG EAST honors in 2023: Dylan Kropp and Makel Rasheed. Rasheed was also named to the USC All-East Region Team.

The 2022 season was highlighted by two players being taken in the MLS SuperDraft 2023: Cole Jensen and Makel Rasheed. Xavier had two players taken in the same draft for the first time in program history. Jensen was taken as the 18th overall pick (first round) by Inter Miami CF, the second highest draft pick in school history. Jensen was also named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American, becoming only the second player in program history to earn All-American honors.

In 2022, the Musketeers also had a 14-match unbeaten streak during the regular season - matching the program record for longest unbeaten streak. Xavier also climbed to as high as No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches' Poll, matching the highest ranking in school history. The Musketeers also advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 2018.

Higgins finished the 2021 fall season ranked fourth in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Top-25 Poll after posting an 18-1-3 record and advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships. All told, he posted a 31-1-7 record over two seasons in 2021 (spring season due to COVID-19 pandemic).

The three-time Great Lakes Valley Conference 'Coach of the Year' owns a 7-3-1 (.625) record in NCAA Tournament action and finished GLVC Tournament play with an 18-3-5 (.750) mark. He finished his coaching career at UIndy as the program's all-time leader in wins (150) and winning percentage (.700).

Higgins led the Greyhounds to a total of six conference championships from 2010-21, including three regular-season titles and three tournament championships. All told, he has made five NCAA Tournaments with two national semifinal appearances.

The Dunfermline, United Kingdom, native coached 54 All-GLVC selections at UIndy along with seven All-Midwest Region honorees and two All-Americans. Academically, the Greyhounds have earned the USC Team Academic Award in each season under Higgins.

Higgins played collegiately for the Greyhounds from 2004-08, earning all-conference and all-region honors as a senior. He was named to the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 Team and earned Academic All-GLVC honors four times.

Higgins earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from UIndy in May of 2008 and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from UIndy in 2010.

Higgins and his wife, Amber, have two daughters: Emily and Jane.

COACHING TIMELINE

YEAR	RECORD	PCT.	MIS.
2010	10-8-0	.556	GLVC Tournament Runner-Up
2011	12-5-1	.694	GLVC Tournament Appearance
2012	7-8-3	.472	---
2013	15-3-3	.786	NCAA Regional Appearance
2014	12-5-3	.675	GLVC Tournament Champions
2015	12-5-3	.675	NCAA Regional Appearance
2016	10-5-5	.625	GLVC Tournament Runner-Up
2017	13-6-1	.675	NCAA Regional Appearance
2018	12-4-2	.722	GLVC Tournament Appearance
2019	16-6-1	.717	NCAA Tournament Semifinals
2021 (s)	13-0-4	.882	GLVC Regular-Season Champions
2021 (f)	18-1-3	.886	GLVC Tournament Champions NCAA Tournament Semifinals
2022	9-2-7	.694	---
2023	9-4-6	.631	BIG EAST Tournament Champions NCAA Tournament First Round
2024	4-8-5	.382	---
TOTALS	172-70-47	.677

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

CHRIS GRASSIE, MARSHALL MEN'S SOCCER HEAD COACH
"Xavier has hired a good coach in John Higgins. "Higgy" is definitely a builder, who will think through how to build that program with a strong foundation. He's another coach who has a proven track record running a program at the DII level, which is always the best proof of whether or not they will be successful at DI. He is a great choice to turn around the fortunes of a program that has been struggling. He will do this with a measured approach, taking into account the many aspects of the program he will have to improve before results improve. Hopefully we will be able to play against each other soon!"

JOHN MICHAEL HAYDEN, LOUISVILLE MEN'S SOCCER HEAD COACH
"John Higgins in an absolutely fantastic hire for Xavier men's soccer. He deserves this opportunity after working tirelessly to become the coach he is today. We have worked together many times over the years and his passion for the game will no doubt elevate the Xavier program to new heights. I wish him nothing but the best."

MARIO SANCHEZ, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS – LOUISVILLE CITY FC
"Congratulations to the Xavier Athletic Department on a great hire for their men's soccer program. Coach Higgins is an outstanding coach, recruiter and most importantly, a great mentor for the young men of the Xavier Soccer program. I am looking forward to seeing Xavier Men's Soccer return to BIG EAST and national prominence."

BRIAN HICKS, XAVIER ASSOCIATE AD FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS
"I'm thrilled to announce Coach Higgins as our new men's soccer head coach. John has led one of the most successful NCAA DII programs over the last decade, capped by a national semifinal appearance last fall and a USC No. 1 ranking.

"We're excited for John to write the next chapter of our successful men's soccer program and compete for championships in one of the best soccer conferences in the country."

SCOTT YOUNG, VP FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS – UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
"John is an incredible person and coach and he has made a huge impact on the soccer program and Athletic Department at UIndy. He is caring, creative and innovative and will make a wonderful addition at Xavier. He will be greatly missed at UIndy and we wish him all the very best."

PAUL SNAPE, BUTLER MEN'S SOCCER HEAD COACH
"John is an outstanding coach who has achieved an enormous amount of success at the Division II level. His fierce work ethic, determination, passion and tactical acumen will create an environment where people can flourish and improve! He is a leader who knows how to communicate his thoughts and ideas with articulate precision. Just as importantly, John deeply cares about the welfare of his players and staff. He will be a great addition to the BIG EAST Conference!"

TODD YEAGLEY, INDIANA MEN'S SOCCER HEAD COACH
"John Higgins is a great hire for Xavier. His soccer IQ is excellent along with his ability to motivate and develop young talent. He understands the importance of team culture and instilling a winning mentality while leading with humility and class. After getting to know John over the years and seeing him work I'm very confident Xavier soccer has a bright future ahead."

GREG CHRISTOPHER, XAVIER VP AND DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
"When we conducted our national search, we found a number of highly successful coaches interested in leading our program," said Greg Christopher, Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Xavier Men's Soccer has been a top-25 program that competes in one of the best soccer conferences in the country.

"We're excited to welcome Coach Higgins and his family to the Xavier community. Not only has Coach Higgins reached an elite level on the field, he's been able to maintain that success year in and year out."