[3] During his career he compiled a 42–5 record as a starter including back-to-black black college football national championships in 2000 and 2001.
[5] Following his stint with the Alabama Lightning he became the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for Bullock County High School.
[11] In 2021, James was hired by Bethune–Cookman University as offensive coordinator under head football coach Terry Sims.
[12][13] In 2022, James returned to his alma mater, Tuskegee, as the offensive coordinator under Reginald Ruffin who he had previously worked under while at Miles.
[15][16] In James's first season, Tuskegee started the year projected to finish third in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
[28][29] In his inaugural season as a head coach, James lead the Golden Tigers to a 7–4 record and finished tied second in the conference.