Chad James begins his sixth season as assistant cross-country and track-and-field coach. He primarily focuses on the development of the men's team, with an emphasis on distance, jumping, and throwing events.

James is USATF Level I and II-certified as a coach and is a personal fitness trainer. In addition, he begins his first semester as an adjunct professor in the department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine.

James ran competitively for the Bulldogs under current Head Coach Glenn McWaters. He was a member of three TAAC conference championship teams (cross-country in 1999 and 2000, and track-and-field in 2000) and was named to the All-Conference cross-country team in 2000. James received the Top Freshman award in 1996 and was All-Academic 1996-2000. In track, James focused mainly on the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters.

James hails from Chattanooga, Tenn., where he ran competitively at The Baylor School, named by Sports Illustrated in 2005 as one of the top 25 sports high schools in America. He recently completed a master's degree of education in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.