CASTLETON, Vt. – Tyler Higley has officially been selected as the fourth head coach in Vermont State University Castleton football history, VTSU Castleton Director of Athletics Tim Barrett announced Thursday.
 
"We are thrilled to remove the 'interim' tag from Tyler's title and promote him to head coach," said Barrett. "He has shown great leadership during his time at Castleton, and is someone who cares deeply about the University and the football program. His familiarity with the program is a strong asset and we look forward to all that he will accomplish in this role."
 
Higley, who was named interim head coach in May, will look to make his mark on the program in his elevated role. No stranger to the Spartan football program, he suited up as a player for four seasons before spending one season as a volunteer assistant coach. After his one-year stint as a volunteer, he was elevated into a two-year appointment as a graduate assistant for the Spartans. During that time, Higley was the positional coach for defensive backs and served as the team's video coordinator. He continued his coaching career as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Western New England University before returning home to Castleton in 2022.
 
The Vernon, Vermont native has served as the Spartans' defensive coordinator for the last two seasons and has seen considerable success in the role. Spartan defenses have posted stellar numbers under his tutelage, allowing the fewest points per game in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference in 2022 and the fewest yards per game in the ECFC in 2023. The Spartans had nine defensive players earn All-ECFC accolades over Higley's two seasons as defensive coordinator, with seven of those honorees landing First Team recognition. On a national level, the Spartan defense ranked in the top 25 in Division III in sacks and tackles for a loss in 2023.
 
"It is with tremendous pride that I accept the opportunity to lead the Vermont State University Castleton football program," said Higley. "It is an honor to coach the young men in our program and lead them into a new era of Castleton football. I want to thank Tim Barrett and our administration for this opportunity, as well as my wife, Kelly, for supporting me throughout my career to make this possible."
 
Successful on both sides of the ball as a player, Higley began his career as a quarterback before making the switch to defensive back in his junior season where he earned First Team All-Conference honors from the ECFC. He still ranks among the top five in program history for career interceptions and pass deflections. To this day, he also holds program single-season records with seven interceptions and 18 passes defended. In 2015, he ranked among the nation's top five in interceptions per game and passes defended per game.
 
The 2024 season kicks off with the Battle for the Maple Sap Bucket Trophy against in-state rival Norwich on September 7 in Northfield, Vermont.