Wally Highsmith

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]

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]

Highsmith is the father of former NFL player Alonzo Highsmith and uncle of former NFL player Ali Highsmith.^[10]