Coach Matt Higgins joins the Roadrunners with a wealth of experience and success in the soccer world and currently is taking the reins for the first time entering the 2011 season. Higgins grew up in England, having played under the professional soccer ladder for five years beginning at the age of 16. He joined the professional club Macclesfield Town F.C, and was then scouted by Manchester City under the watchful eye of ex-England National team coach Kevin Keegan. Higgins has played with five professional and semi professional clubs during his playing career.
After moving to the United States to start his coaching career, Higgins taught at some of the top academies in New Jersey before starting his own training company, English Pro Soccer and F.C Jersey girls’ soccer academy in 2007. Both academies are still going strong to this day with fantastic reputations in the tri-state area, playing at the state level.
Higgins regularly surrounds himself with seasoned professionals with the likes of Thierry Henry, Joel Lindpere, and Head Coach Hans Backe of the Red Bulls soccer team to improve his knowledge and to learn from International superstars. With regular visits to the Red Bulls training ground in Montclair, NJ, Higgins finds himself very fortunate to be surrounded by such idols.
Having an overall winning percentage of 87% in his coaching career prior to Ramapo, Higgins' professional playing experience and strong knowledge of the game will provide the Roadrunners with a new dynamic outlook.
Recognized as one of the top, young upcoming soccer coaches in the country by his professional colleagues, Higgins has similar comparisons and likeliness to English coaching supreme Brian Clough, with the same desire, work ethic and pure energy for one of the worlds most loved sports.
Higgins said, “I'm really looking forward to building this squad, to add some energy into the women’s soccer program, We have a good team here already built up by former coach Arnie Ramierz who did a great job, and I'm thankful for that, but now we will move forward with what is an exciting time for the college, both on and off the pitch”.
Higgins resides in northern New Jersey.
2011 Season
