Football
James, Scott

Scott James
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator
- Email:
- scott.james@unh.edu
- Phone:
- 603-862-1852
Scott James was elevated to the positions of associate head coach and defensive coordinator in spring 2025. He was the defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach in 2024 -- his first year back at UNH.
James returned to Durham in 2024 after six seasons as the defensive coordinator for Holy Cross. During his tenure in Worcester, he led a defense that was #1 in the country in total offense, he coached numerous All-Americans and won four league championships.
Prior to joining the Crusaders, James spent five seasons as the safeties coach at UNH from 2013-17. During that time, he helped the Wildcats to an overall record of 46-22 with five trips to the NCAA playoffs. New Hampshire won the CAA championship in 2014, while advancing to the NCAA semifinals in 2013 and 2014. James also coached a pair of All-CAA selections in Manny Asam (2013) and Pop Lacey (2016).
Previously, James served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the University of New Haven from 2009-2012, with the team posting an overall record of 34-10 during that time. In 2012, he helped the Chargers to an undefeated regular season, as they beat all of their Division II opponents for the second-straight year and claimed a third consecutive Northeast-10 Conference championship. James’ defense ranked third nationally in total defense (274.4 yards/game), fourth in scoring defense (14.0 points/game) and fourth in rushing defense (81.7 yards/game).
Other coaching stops for James included time at Northeastern (2005-2007 / outside linebackers), Boston College (2003-2004 / defensive graduate assistant), Holy Cross (2002 / defensive line), UAlbany (2001 / defensive tackles) and Norwich (1999-2000 / defensive line).
James is a 1999 graduate of Norwich with a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. He went on to earn master’s degrees from UAlbany in 2002 and Boston College in 2005.
James returned to Durham in 2024 after six seasons as the defensive coordinator for Holy Cross. During his tenure in Worcester, he led a defense that was #1 in the country in total offense, he coached numerous All-Americans and won four league championships.
Prior to joining the Crusaders, James spent five seasons as the safeties coach at UNH from 2013-17. During that time, he helped the Wildcats to an overall record of 46-22 with five trips to the NCAA playoffs. New Hampshire won the CAA championship in 2014, while advancing to the NCAA semifinals in 2013 and 2014. James also coached a pair of All-CAA selections in Manny Asam (2013) and Pop Lacey (2016).
Previously, James served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the University of New Haven from 2009-2012, with the team posting an overall record of 34-10 during that time. In 2012, he helped the Chargers to an undefeated regular season, as they beat all of their Division II opponents for the second-straight year and claimed a third consecutive Northeast-10 Conference championship. James’ defense ranked third nationally in total defense (274.4 yards/game), fourth in scoring defense (14.0 points/game) and fourth in rushing defense (81.7 yards/game).
Other coaching stops for James included time at Northeastern (2005-2007 / outside linebackers), Boston College (2003-2004 / defensive graduate assistant), Holy Cross (2002 / defensive line), UAlbany (2001 / defensive tackles) and Norwich (1999-2000 / defensive line).
James is a 1999 graduate of Norwich with a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. He went on to earn master’s degrees from UAlbany in 2002 and Boston College in 2005.