Higgins tabs former star Clifford Harris as head football coach

Higgins has another new head coach in football.

John Ehret assistant coach Clifford Harris has been chosen to lead the Hurricanes.

Higgins athletic director Buddy Veillon confirmed the hiring to CrescentCitySports.com.

Harris starred at Higgins before playing at Duke. Harris graduated from Duke in 2009 with a degree in sociology and a minor in African and African American studies.

Harris played four years at Duke, playing in 43 games. He scored seven touchdowns and threw a touchdown pass for the Blue Devils.

At Higgins, Harris rushed for 1,600 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior and was a second team all-state performer. Harris completed his career with the Hurricanes with 3,738 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns and helped lead Higgins to a 29-16 record and three state playoff appearances while also starring in track and field for the Hurricanes.

Higgins athletic director Buddy Veillon is thrilled to have Harris back at his alma mater.

“He graduated here in 2005 and played for David Cutfliffe at Duke,” Veillon said. “He is very smart, intelligent and knows the game. The biggest thing is that he is an alumnus. Clifford knows everyone in the community and is always out-and-about with them. He remembers the good days under Coach Meyers. That is where we are trying to get it back to. He will be a big asset to our program.”

Since Meyers departed the program after the 2013 season following 18 years at the helm, Higgins had Craig Laborde, Kenny Bush and Tom Lavigne as head coaches.

“Our biggest issue has been stability,” Veillon said. “All three coaches that were here after Wayne were here no more than two years. We need to have a coach that will settle in and be here for a long time and the kids want and need stability.”

Harris, who spent the last five seasons at Ehret as an assistant coach, is thrilled to be going home.

“It’s a dream come true, to play there for four years and do all the things we did there, it is a blessing and we want to provide for them what was provided to me when I played. I want the players to buy in and I want to apply what I have learned from those I have worked with.”

Now, a Hurricane legend has returned home to try to read a revival of the program.

“That’s the goal, to bring it back to the promised land,” Harris said. “I believe you have to bring some of the culture that Coach Meyers brought to the program,” Harris said. “It takes a total commitment. They were close this past season so they were on the right track. My goal is to instill some principles that will work, on and off the field with these kids.”

Higgins was 3-5 this past season and very competitive in some of the losses.

“I have competed against Higgins at Ehret the last five years,” Harris said. “They are still big up front and have enough skill players to succeed. We just need to learn how to finish, to close out games. You have to believe you are going to win to be able to win. That mindset must return.”