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Wally Highsmith
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Walter "Buzz" Highsmith (August 27, 1943) is an American former gridiron football player and coach. He played professionally in the American Football League (AFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), World Football League (WFL), and National Football League (NFL) as an offensive lineman. Highsmith served as the head football coach at Texas Southern University from 1989 to 1993, compiling a record of 19–34–2.
Key Information
Playing
[edit]Highsmith started his career with the Denver Broncos of the AFL, playing 23 games in two seasons. He next played with the Montreal Alouettes for two years and 22 games, winning the Grey Cup championship in 1970. He then headed to the Houston Oilers of the NFL, playing nine games in one season. Highsmith returned to the Montreal Alouettes in 1973, playing only one game. The Memphis Southmen of the new WFL called, and he played two seasons with them. He finished his career back in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts, playing 21 games over two years.[1]
Coaching
[edit]After retiring, Highsmith remained in the Montreal area and worked as a physical education teacher in the West Island. In 1980, he moved to Florida to become a teacher and football coach at Miami Edison Senior High School.[2] He then served as the defensive coordinator at Florida A&M until 1989, when he became the head football coach at Texas Southern.[3] Over five seasons, he compiled a 19–34–2 record and coached 22 players who signed NFL contracts, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.[4][5] He was fired after a 2–9 1993 campaign that included six consecutive losses to end the season.[6] He returned to Florida A&M as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. He was fired in 1998 after the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Highsmith has possible violated NCAA rules.[7] He was the Toronto Argonauts defensive line coach in 2000 and served as interim head coach for two games following the resignation of John Huard.[8] In 2006, he was the defensive coordinator at Selma High School in Selma, Alabama.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Highsmith is the father of former NFL player Alonzo Highsmith and uncle of former NFL player Ali Highsmith.[10]
Head coaching record
[edit]| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Southern Tigers (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (1989–1993) | |||||||||
| 1989 | Texas Southern | 3–7–1 | 3–3–1 | 5th | |||||
| 1990 | Texas Southern | 4–7 | 2–4 | T–5th | |||||
| 1991 | Texas Southern | 5–5–1 | 3–3–1 | T–4th | |||||
| 1992 | Texas Southern | 5–6 | 3–4 | T–4th | |||||
| 1993 | Texas Southern | 2–9 | 1–6 | 7th | |||||
| Texas Southern: | 19–34–2 | 12–20–2 | |||||||
| Total: | 19–34–2 | ||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ Swanson, Ben (February 19, 2021). "Mile High Morning: Looking back on Walter Highsmith's pioneering stint with the Broncos as the first Black starting center". denverbroncos.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-West Islander Hurricane star". The Montreal Gazette. January 4, 1984. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Highsmith Named Southern Coach". The Victoria Advocate. January 25, 1989. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "TSU fired football coach". The Victoria Advocate. December 21, 1993. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Justice, Richard (November 18, 2010). "Cole's vision materializes for TSU". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ "Dean says he'll return to Florida". The Volusian. December 22, 1993. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "GAMU assistant football coach fired". Ocala Star-Banner. March 28, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Mike (Pinball) Clemons named new head coach of the Toronto Argonauts". Canadian Press NewsWire. August 29, 2000.
- ^ Lyle, Wesley (August 24, 2006). "Opelika looking for QB". Montgomery Advertiser.
- ^ "Wally Highsmith Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Transactions". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference
- CFLapedia profile
- World Football League Players