Point Loma Nazarene University Men's Baseball

James is in his 10th year at the collegiate level, eighth as an assistant coach for the PLNU baseball program, and 12th overall. He returned to his alma mater for the 2010 season and helped the team reach the NAIA World Series where they finished third. James will continue to serve in his roles of recruiting, camp coordination and opponent scouting in the upcoming season, but he also took over the role of pitching coach for the first time in 2015.   During the two seasons with James as the pitching coach, the Sea Lions have risen to be one of best staffs, not only in the PacWest, but in NCAA Division II. During the 2016 season, PLNU ranked in the top 10 of four national pitching categories. The staff ranked second nationally in walks allowed per 9 innings (2.16), eighth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.23), ninth in WHIP (1.20) and 10th in earned run average (3.15). This season's earned run average marked a drop in over a run since James took over as the Sea Lions went from a 4.17 ERA in 2014 to a 3.83 ERA in 2015 to a 3.15 ERA this season. He guided Kellen Sheppard to All-PacWest honors.   In his first year as the pitching coach, James helped guide Coleman Huntley III to first team Daktronics All-West Region honors and a nomination for the Brett Tomko Pitcher of the Year award after he led NCAA Division II with 13 saves in the regular season. The PLNU pitching staff ranked 19th in the country with 2.78 walks per 9 innings and 27th with five shutouts.   Before returning to PLNU, James spent the two prior seasons assisting the New Mexico Highlands University baseball team under head coach Steve Jones. During that span the Cowboys won 70 games, twice reached the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) tournament championship game and qualified for the NCAA Division II Western regionals in 2009. During that year the Cowboys lead NCAA Division II in doubles (181) and team batting average (.377).   In addition to his coaching duties at NMHU, James was the strength and conditioning coach for the university's athletic teams and was in charge of game management, which included setting up every home sporting event up to NCAA standards and RMAC regulations. He also ran the school's intramural program.   James prepped at South Pasadena High School where he earned two varsity letters and was named the Tigers MVP in 1999. He helped lead SPHS to their first league title in 31 years and won the Pat Murphy Award and all-league outfield honors.   After high school James played collegiately at Citrus College (2000-2001) under Skip Claprood in Glendora, CA. At Citrus he earned the coaches award in 2001 before he transferred and pitched at Point Loma Nazarene University (2002-03). At PLNU James helped the Sea Lions to two regional playoff berths and the Region II championship game in 03. He made 17 appearances and posted a 3.95 ERA in his senior season. He would go on to earn his degree in History from PLNU.   After Point Loma, James was the pitching coach at local Claremont High School for two seasons before moving onto New Mexico Highlands University. In 2009 he earned a Master's degree in exercise and sports sciences/sports administration at NMHU.   James was also previously the head coach of the Myrtle Beach Summer Collegiate Baseball Team - The Surfriders.   James is married to his wife Lindsey and the couple has a pair of daughters, Kinley and Ellie.