JAMES

Antonio James

  • Title
    Defensive Coordinator
  • Phone
    4234
Antonio James begins his fourth season as a member of Morgan State's coaching staff, and will take over the defense for 2019 as the Bears’ defensive coordinator. He will also continue to share the title of co-special teams coordinator.
 
James, who was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2018, was instrumental in guiding the Bears fast and aggressive style of attack. 
 
The Bears’ 2018 defense ranked among the league leaders in a number of categories; No. 1 in sacks (29); No. 1 in red zone defense; T-No. 1 in 4th down defense (29.4 pct); No. 2 in interceptions (14), No. 2 in pass defense efficiency (113.0), No. 3 in rushing defense (153.9 avg); No. 3 in 3rd down defense (30.4 pct.); No. 4 in opponent 1st downs (18 avg), and No. 4 in scoring defense (25.6 avg).
 
James’ defensive unit was highlighted by four All- MEAC performers: LB Ian McBorrough, DB Donte Small, DE Rico Kennedy and LB Damare’ Whitaker. 
 
James also mentored All-MEAC kicker Alex Raya who connected of 10 of 14 field goal tries (ranked No. 4 in the MEAC), including a career-high 51-yarder and a 36-yard game-winner at No. 4 North Carolina A&T (Sept. 22). He led the team in scoring with 45 points and averaged 58.6 yards per kickoff, including a league best 30 touchbacks.
 
In his first season overseeing linebackers, James helped mentor Rico Kennedy to becoming an All-MEAC selection. Kennedy led the team with 70 tackles and ranked No. 5 in the MEAC with 7.5 sacks as a sophomore. He also led the league with four forced fumbles and finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation (FCS) with 19.5 tackles for loss. 
 
As co-special teams coach in 2017, James’ oversaw a unit that displayed improvement from the previous season. In the MEAC rankings, the Bears ranked No. 2 in kickoff coverage (39.8 net avg), and had eight touchbacks on 43 kickoffs, with a 56.7 average per kick. The combination of kickers Alex Raya (13-13) and Luke Ursanel (10-11) connected on 23-of-24 PATs and combined to score 41 points. 
 
Under James' watch as defensive line coach in 2016, the Bears created havoc in the trenches by registering 24 total sacks, ranking T-No. 43 nationally and T-No. 4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference averaging 2.2 takedowns a game.
 
They also finished the season ranked T-No. 34 nationally with 73 tackles for loss. He also mentored junior defensive end Jai Franklin who was selected to the All-MEAC Team. Franklin posted 50 tackles and led the team in tackles for loss (13), sacks (4) and quarterback hurries (4).  
 
James arrived at MSU after previously serving as a graduate assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines, where he assisted with the defensive line.
 
Prior to joining U-M, James coached the defensive line and outside linebackers at Urbana High School from 2011-13.
 
James was a four-year letterman on the defensive line at the University of Illinois (2006-09), and helped lead the Fighting Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl Game. He appeared in 46 career games with six starts, and finished his collegiate career with 40 tackles, six tackles-for-losses and two-and-a-half sacks.
 
James earned his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Illinois.
 
He attended Washington High School, where he was named a first-team All-Ohio selection by the Associated Press as a senior.
 
James was named to the 2017 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches' Leadership Institute. 

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