Born in Kearny, New Jersey, Tighe joined the professional ranks in 1936 as a catcher with the Charleston Senators,[1] a Detroit farm club in the Class C Middle Atlantic League.

In 1940 and 1941, Tighe was player-manager of the Muskegon Clippers, a Michigan State League Tigers farm club.

[3] He was again named to the coaching staff of the Tigers for 1955–56, replacing his boss, Bucky Harris, as Detroit's manager following the 1956 season.

Tighe led the Tigers to a 78–76, fourth-place finish in 1957, although when Detroit faltered (21–28) early on during the 1958 campaign, he was released in favor of Bill Norman.

[1] Jack Tighe died at age 88 on August 1, 2002 (2002-08-01), eight days short of his 89th birthday, in Pompano Beach, Florida.