Playing as a defender on the King men's soccer team, Jeff Highfill graduated in 1974 with a degree in Business and Economics.

During his time on campus, he helped the Tornado to the 1973 TISA championship and was selected first team All-TISA as a defender in 1972 and 1973.

After finishing his career with the Tornado, Highfill became an educator and took over the football program at William Byrd High School in the Roanoke, Va. suburb or Vinton in 1981 and started the men's soccer program in 1982. As of 2020, Highfill owned 446 wins in soccer and 198 football wins.

Highfill's primary mark on William Byrd athletics, however, has come on the soccer field. He became the team's head coach when the team played its inaugural season in 1982 and has led the program ever since. He earned his 400th win during the 2011 season. Highfill's career record at William Byrd is an eye-popping 416-114-20, a winning percentage of .785.

Among his considerable accomplishments on the soccer pitch are 17 district championships, 16 district tournament championships, 10 region championships, and five second-place region finishes. His teams have finished fifth in the Virginia playoffs three times, third in the state six times, and have twice been state runners-up. He has been named Coach of the Year an astonishing 19 times during his tenure.

Highfill has even served as the school's tennis coach, winning a pair of Coach of the Year honors during his time in that capacity.

Highfill has two children, Catherine Owen and Jeff, Jr., who serves as an assistant coach on both the football and soccer teams at William Byrd. Jeff and his wife Katie reside in Roanoke, Va.