[4] Upon the dissolution of the XFL, Willis decided to retire as a player and returned to Auburn to work towards completing his college degree.
[6] During his one season with Alabama, the Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.
On January 13, 2010, Willis agreed to join head coach Tommy Tuberville to serve as the new defensive coordinator for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.
[7] Prior to the 2011 TicketCity Bowl, Willis allegedly left the program to pursue other career opportunities after a domestic disturbance call at his home.
He was fired from the Saints on January 5, 2017 [11] In 2019 it was announced that James would be the head football coach at Northlake Christian high school.