John Higgins Reveals Why He’s Never Had a Coach — And the Only Man He’d Consider

Battling out in his 12th World Snooker Championship semi-final, the same tally as seven-time champion Stephen Hendry, with only Ronnie O’Sullivan having featured in more, four-time winner John Higgins is once again proving his enduring class at the Crucible.

As of writing, the 50-year-old is locked at 4-4 with 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy in a race to 16 frames for a place in the 2026 final.

Reinventing the ‘Wizard of Wishaw’

Now into his fifth decade, the ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ continues to evolve. Higgins has reinvented himself multiple times across a career spanning four decades, and this latest run is another testament to that adaptability.

There is a renewed grit and resilience in his game. Across his three previous matches, against Ali Carter, O’Sullivan, and Neil Robertson, Higgins repeatedly found himself trailing heavily, only to battle back and prevail each time.

Modern Coaching Trends in Snooker

Even among the sport’s elite, turning to outside help has become increasingly common in the modern game.

Murphy is one of the most prominent examples, having worked closely with 2002 world champion Peter Ebdon for over a year. He credits Ebdon, famously known as ‘the Force’, as a key figure behind his resurgence, which included lifting the 2025 Masters title.

Similarly, Higgins’ quarter-final opponent Robertson has enlisted the support of two-time ranking event winner Joe Perry as part of his setup.

Even O’Sullivan has embraced a more informal mentoring role in recent times, offering guidance to Chinese youngster Wu Yize, who occupies the other semi-final against Mark Allen.

“I’ve Got a Wife!” — Higgins on His Support System

Despite the growing trend, Higgins has taken a different approach.

When asked whether he has considered bringing in a coach at this stage of his career, the Scot responded with trademark humour, highlighting the role his wife Denise plays in his life and career.

“I’ve got a wife! She’s everything rolled into one, coach, team mate, boss, of course, so she’s been great,” Higgins said. 

Why Higgins Trusts His Own Experience

Beyond the light-hearted response, Higgins offered a candid and honest explanation for why he has resisted the idea of external coaching.

While acknowledging the quality of former champions now working as coaches, he believes his own experience and achievements leave little room for others to add to his knowledge. 

He went a step further by suggesting that, in truth, it would likely take someone of O’Sullivan’s unique brilliance and understanding of the game to offer him anything new, subtly implying that the ‘Rocket’ is perhaps the only figure he would ever consider turning to for guidance.

“Nah, I just look at these great champions and just think: Who’s going to tell me when I’m out there, what player, maybe O’Sullivan? I don’t know,” Higgins added. 

“I just think I would have more experience than other guys trying to come in and tell me at the break.”

“I think I know as much as I’m ever got to know in this game, so that’s why I’ve always just kept myself.”

With 33 ranking titles to his name, a tally only bettered by Ronnie O’Sullivan (41) and Stephen Hendry (36), Higgins’ stance is backed by one of the most decorated careers in snooker history.

And as his latest Crucible battle with Murphy shows, even at 50, Higgins remains a force capable of shaping the sport’s biggest stages, entirely on his own terms.