July 31, 2000
GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman menšs soccer coach Doug Allison announced today the hiring of former Paladin standout Ryan Higginbotham as assistant coach.
Higginbotham assumes the position vacated by Bret Boulware, who left July 1 to become the head coach at Presbyterian College.
After completing his career in 1997, Higginbotham has served as Furmanšs volunteer assistant coach for the past two seasons acting as a third member of the coaching staff with Allison and Boulware.
"I am excited to have Ryan on full-time," said Allison. "He has done a fine job over the last two seasons and I look forward to his continued growth and maturity in our program.˛
Higginbotham is a 2000 graduate of Furman University and competed on the men's soccer team from 1994-97. Higginbotham, who ranks third all-time in goals scored, finished his career with 36 goals, 14 assists, and 86 points. He also notched four hat tricks over his career.
A key member of Furman teams that claimed three Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles, Higginbotham helped guide the Paladins to a 41-15-4 record over his final three seasons. He was named Southern Conference Most Valuable Player in 1996 and was league tournament most outstanding player in both 1996 and 1997.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Higginbotham is a 1994 graduate of Jesuit Preparatory School. Higginbotham has played for the USISL's South Carolina Shamrocks and coached in the Downtown Soccer Association since his playing career ended. Higginbotham has already assumed his duties with the program.