James Herbert Alward (November 1, 1865 – December 21, 1897) was an American football player and coach.

He served as the third head football coach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for a single season in 1891, compiling a record of 3–1–1.

[1] Alward attended Harvard University and was a member of the 1890 Harvard Crimson football team, which was later recognized as a national champion.

He played amateur club football with Chicago's University Club in 1891 and the Chicago Athletic Association in 1892 and 1893, serving as team captain in 1893.

[2][3] Alward died of typhoid fever, on December 21, 1897, at his home in Chicago.