Charleston, SC -- The Citadel announced on Thursday that former Detroit Lions assistant Kevin Higgins has been named head coach of its football team.

Higgins, who was a quarterbacks and wide receivers coach with the Lions, becomes the 23rd head coach in the program's history. Higgins replaces John Zernhelt, who was hired as a New York Jets assistant.

Higgins came to the Lions in 2001 after 12 years at Lehigh, where he guided the Mountain Hawks to three straight NCAA I-AA playoff appearances.

"Kevin Higgins is the right coach at the right time for Citadel football," said Major General John Grinalds, USMC Ret. and President of the The Citadel. "He understands The Citadel's interest in having a team that will make alumni proud -- not only for the way they play in Johnson Hagood Stadium but also for the way the players conduct themselves as cadet-student-athletes."

During Higgins' first three years with Lions he served as quarterbacks coach and helped tutor signal-caller Joey Harrington, Detroit's first-round pick in 2002.

This past season, Higgins handled a trio of talented wideouts in Az-Zahir Hakim, Charles Rogers and Roy Williams with the Lions.

"It is certainly a privilege and a real honor being hired as the head football coach at The Citadel," said Higgins.

Higgins will have his hands full trying to turn The Citadel into a winner. The Bulldogs started the season 0-3 en route to a dismal 3-7 campaign in 2004.

"I want our players to be passionate," added Higgins. "Passionate about the military, passionate about academics, but when they are done with drills and studying, I want them to be passionate about football."