Don James

Bio

Don James lettered in four sports--football, basketball, baseball, and track--in high school at Massillon, Ohio. He was the starting quarterback for Miami (FL) in 1952-53 and graduated with honors. James served in the Army 1954-56, then had a career as assistant football coach at Kansas 1956-57, Florida State 1959-65, Michigan 1966-67, and Colorado 1968-70. For one year, 1958, he was head coach at Southwest High School in Miami, Florida. James was head coach at Kent State 1971-74 with a 25-19-1 record. His 1972 team won the Mid-American Conference championship. He moved to Washington and was head coach 18 years 1975-92 with a 153-57-2 record. For his career the figures were 178-76-3, a percentage of .698. James was named Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association in 1977 and the Football Writers Association in 1991. The 1991 team was undefeated and won a share of the national championship. Washington was in a bowl game for 14 of his last 16 seasons. His bowl record in that time was 10-4. His teams finished first six times and second four times in the Pac-10. He set a conference record for most games won. His coaching philosophy emphasized defense, teamed with a disciplined offense.