Douglas High School has new football coach

Douglas High School has a new football coach.

Trevor Highfield was unanimously approved by the Douglas School Board of Education Tuesday to be the Bulldogs new head coach replacing John Necas who resigned in November.

Highfield, 36, currently the defensive coordinator and head strength and conditioning coach at Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina, has an impressive resume which includes assistant coaching stints at Western New Mexico, UTEP, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Ellsworth Community College.

Highfield played football for Don James and Jim Lambright at the University of Washington where he was a three-year starter playing in the 1992 and 93 Rose Bowls and the 1995 Sun Bowl. In 1995 he was named the All Pac-10 Lineman in addition to the lineman and offensive lineman of the year for the Huskies. In 1999 he was inducted into the University of Washington Hall of Fame. He was also part of the 1991 National Championship team as a redshirt freshman. He played defensive tackle as a sophomore, offensive guard as a junior, and center as a senior.

Highfield received his bachelors’ degree in Sociology from University of Washington in 1997 and is currently pursing a masters degree in Education.

Highfield, his wife Clare have a two-year old daughter, Haylijane, with another child on the way. The new Bulldog coach has family in Cochise County and has visited the area on many occasions.

“(I) love the mountains and all the outdoor activities,” he said. “The main reason I applied for the job was and is family.  My number one goal everyday is to be my families ‘Hero’. … Having grandparents nearby will be advantageous to all.  Also, we were looking for a small, family oriented community to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young people.  I believe Douglas is the right fit for us at the right time.”

This is Highfield’s first head coaching position and he says he’s ready for the challenge.

“I feel as though all my experiences have helped me prepare for this position,” he said. “From working construction, to sales, to coaching football one quality I posses that I find to be invaluable is the power of a positive attitude.  There is always something good to find.

“There is always a solution to the problem.  I truly believe that if you want to win in life you have got to believe in what you are doing and be excited about it.  You can’t let the complainers and criticizers get you down. Enthusiasm is caught-not taught.  As a coaching staff we will be extremely enthusiastic about what we do and therefore we will have an enthusiastic football program.”

Highfield remains employed with Louisburg College and says he’s going to “juggle” both positions until he can relocate to the area.

“I work with a tremendous leader and friend and he is providing me with the flexibility I need in order to focus energy towards Douglas High School and our teams’ needs,” he said.  “However I think it is imperative to note that I owe my very best to Louisburg College, the coaching staff and above all else the student athletes I currently coach until my contract is complete.  I also am planning a trip out to Douglas in the near future in order to get a jump start on building a championship character first football program.  Short answer, I will be spending my weekends focusing on Douglas.”

Highfield said playing for the University of Washington was an amazing experience.

“I had the opportunity to be coached by some of the best in the game,” he said “These individuals made an impact on my life in many ways.  They stressed discipline, mental and physical toughness, accountability and character.  Was it incredible to play in Rose Bowls, beat Miami’s 58 game home win streak and win a National championship?  Yes!  But what I remember most is the camaraderie, the friends that I will have for life.  The idea of being a ‘count on me type of teammate’ something we as a football staff will stress everyday to our players at Douglas.”

The new coach says he will employ a 3-5-3 blitzing and attacking defensive scheme.  The offense will run will be based on the talent available.  There will also be high importance on the special teams play.

“My philosophy of coaching will develop our player to become the very best they can be at everything they set out to accomplish,” Highfield said. “Therefore we will focus on three main areas which I believe will not only make us better as a football program but also make each individual student athlete better as a person. We will focus on these three aspects daily: 1. mental development; 2. physical development and 3, character development. You beat 50 percent of your opponents by hard work.  You beat another 40 percent by being a person on honesty and integrity.  The last 10 percent are a dog fight, with a positive attitude within the program being the difference.

“To the community:  We will win with character here at Douglas High School- I truly believe this.  We need your help get excited, get enthusiastic and believe! GO BULLDOGS!”