Kali James Jr. - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Kali James Jr.

Title:
Defensive Line
Phone:
540-568-6517

Kali James Jr. is in his first season with the James Madison football program in 2026, as he serves as the defensive line coach.

James joins the Dukes with multiples seasons of experience in the SEC and most recently spent the 2025 season as the defensive line coach at Western Kentucky.

Coaching the defensive tackles, WKU ranked fourth nationally in fourth down defense (32.3%) and 13th in pass efficiency defense (112.33). The Hilltoppers also ranked second in the Conference USA in scoring defense (22.8) and on third down (35.3%). He was part of a coaching staff that brought in the #1 recruiting class in the conference. WKU capped off the year with a 27-16 win against Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl.

James joined WKU after a season at Jackson State (2024), where he was defensive line coach and run game coordinator. He helped the Tigers to a SWAC Championship and victory against South Carolina State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl.

In that season, JSU ranked sixth in the FCS in scoring defense (17.1) and fourth in total defense (275.7). The Tigers were 13th in rushing defense (110.6), as well as 18th in total takeaways and sacks. James oversaw a unit that included Joshua Noble, an Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-SWAC selection, and Jeremiah Williams, a Third Team All-American.

Prior to Jackson State, James spent two seasons on Billy Napier’s staff at Florida (2022-23), where he began as a defensive line graduate assistant in 2022 before being promoted to assistant defensive line coach in 2023.

James spent two years at Eagles Landing Christian Academy (2020-21) as defensive line coach and began his coaching career in 2019 as a defensive line intern at South Carolina.

A native of Riverdale, Ga., James was a standout at Tuskegee from 2016-19 prior to his coaching career. He played in all 43 games and was a four-year starter at defensive tackle. James was SIAC Newcomer of the Year was a two-year team captain.

James was awarded the Golden Tiger Man of Character Award while at Tuskegee, and he totaled 76 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also scored a touchdown on a scoop-and-score and recorded one interception. He graduated Cum Laude from Tuskegee in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

James Jr. Coaching File
2025: Western Kentucky (Defensive Line)
2024: Jackson State (Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator)
2022-23: Florida (Asst. Defensive Line Coach/DL Graduate Assistant)
2020-21: E.L.C.A. in Georgia (Defensive Line Coach)
2019: South Carolina (Defensive Line Intern)