Trent Higginbothem joined the FGCU staff as its newest volunteer assistant during the summer of 2016. 

A season ago, he served in the same capacity at Florida A&M, where he was in charge of working with hitters and catchers. Under his tutelage, the Rattlers not only led the MEAC in batting average (.322), runs (416), runs per game (8.0), hits (571), doubles (102), RBI (379), on-base percentage (.425) and slugging (.473), but were also ranked in the top-10 in the country in on-base percentage (2nd), average (5th) and runs per game (7th). He also helped lead four players to Conference Player of the Week honors and two Rookie of the Week awards. 

Prior to starting his coaching career, Higginbothem turned in an impressive resume as a player with both Tallahassee Community College (2012-13) and UNF (2014-15). 

A two-year member of the Eagles, he helped lead the team to a 32-19 record as a freshman and 47-14 record and the 2013 Panhandle Conference Championship as sophomore. After turning in a .376 average with three home runs and 67 RBI as a sophomore, Higginbothem earned First Team All-American, All-District, All-Region and All-Conference Honors while also being named the Panhandle Conference and FCSAA Player of the Year. 

Higginbothem then spent the final two years of his playing career at UNF, where he made an immediate impact for the Ospreys and earned back-to-back ASUN First Team All-Conference honors. As a junior, he hit .335 with a team-best 13 doubles, six home runs and 50 RBI, ranking fourth in the ASUN. The following season, he was equally impressive as he turned in a .305 average with 12 doubles, seven home runs, and 65 RBI, which ranked third in the conference and 18th in the NCAA. 

Originally from Pace, Fla., Higginbothem earned a Bachelor's Degree in exercise science from UNF in 2015.