South Raleigh News

NC State has appointed Gary Higgins as the new head coach for the women's soccer team, as announced by Boo Corrigan, NC State Director of Athletics. Higgins comes to NC State after three successful seasons with East Carolina University (ECU), where he led the team to its first conference title in the program's 30-year history.

Boo Corrigan expressed optimism about the future of Wolfpack Women's Soccer under Higgins' leadership. "I am very excited about the future of Wolfpack Women's Soccer under Gary Higgins' leadership," said Corrigan. "He rose to the top of our candidate pool not only because he is an excellent coach and winner, but because of the passion and energy he brings to the role. His positivity makes him a great fit for our culture."

In 2024, Higgins guided ECU to a 10-4-7 record, securing the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Six players from his squad received AAC postseason honors.

Higgins expressed gratitude for his new position at NC State: "It is an honor and a privilege to be named the new head women's soccer coach at NC State," said Higgins. "My family and I cannot wait to join the Pack! I would like to thank Boo Corrigan, Katie Graham and the rest of the support staff for giving me this opportunity and I am very excited to begin a new era of NC State women's soccer."

He also acknowledged his previous institutions: "I want to also express my heartfelt gratitude to ECU and Lenoir-Rhyne University for all the unwavering support extended throughout my career. I will attack this opportunity with enthusiasm and gratitude and I look forward to helping NC State compete for conference championships and NCAA tournament berths. Thanks and Go Pack!"

Higgins' tenure at ECU began in March 2022 following seven years at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he became the all-time winningest coach in their program history with an 83-31-13 record. His achievements include leading Lenoir-Rhyne to three NCAA Tournaments, two SAC regular season championships, one league tournament title, four All-America performers, and 46 all-conference picks.

Higgins started his coaching career as an assistant at Lenoir-Rhyne before moving on to Tusculum College (Tenn.), where he helped secure a SAC title in 2014.

A native of Paisley, Scotland, Higgins played professionally at youth level for St. Mirren Football Club and represented Scotland's U18 team. He also played semi-professionally in America before pursuing coaching.

Gary Higgins holds a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science from Lenoir-Rhyne University along with a master's degree in liberal arts from LR. He is married with two daughters.