App State Football Hires Antonio James as Defensive Line Coach

Image Courtesy Of App State Facebook

App State football has hired Antonio James as the Mountaineers’ defensive line coach, head coach Dowell Loggains announced Saturday.

James served as an assistant defensive line coach on Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois in 2025 after previously working as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois. He helped coach his alma mater to a 9-5 record with a victory over Tennessee in the 2025 Music City Bowl. Illinois has built a reputation for developing defensive linemen under Bielema, who walked on to Iowa’s team at that position before becoming a team captain.

Southern Illinois Success

After entering the collegiate coaching ranks as a graduate assistant at Michigan and coaching at Morgan State from 2016-21, James spent three seasons at Southern Illinois from 2022-24. He was the Salukis’ defensive line coach for one season before being promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator prior to the 2023 season.

Under James’ direction, SIU’s defense was elite during a run to the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2023, ranking in the top 10 nationally in several categories:

• Scoring defense: No. 4 (16.2 points per game)
• Total defense: No. 4 (282.3 yards per game)
• Sacks: No. 6 (3.0 per game)
• Rushing defense: No. 5 (94.2 yards per game)
• Pass efficiency defense: No. 7 (111.73)
• Turnovers gained: No. 7 (25)
• Fourth-down defense: No. 8 (33.3 percent conversion rate)

Morgan State Experience

James served as defensive coordinator and co-special teams coordinator in his final four seasons at Morgan State, highlighted by a 2018 defense that led the league in sacks (29), red zone defense, and fourth-down defense.

Michigan and Early Career

James began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant working with Michigan’s defensive line from 2014-16. The Wolverines posted back-to-back 10-win seasons during his final two years in Ann Arbor, finishing both seasons ranked inside the top 12 of the AP Top 25 poll.

Following his stint at Michigan, James was named to the 2017 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 30 Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute.

James’ first coaching job was at Urbana High School, where he directed the defensive line and outside linebackers from 2011-13.

Playing Career

James was a four-year letterman on the defensive line for Illinois from 2006-09, contributing to the Fighting Illini’s run to the 2008 Rose Bowl. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Illinois in 2010.

A native of Massillon, Ohio, James was an all-state selection as a senior at Washington High School.

James’ Coaching Experience

• 2011-13: Urbana HS (Defensive line/Outside linebackers)
• 2014-15: Michigan (Graduate assistant – defensive line)
• 2016: Morgan State (Defensive line)
• 2017: Morgan State (Linebackers/Co-special teams coordinator)
• 2018-21: Morgan State (Defensive coordinator/Co-special teams coordinator)
• 2022: Southern Illinois (Defensive line)
• 2023-24: Southern Illinois (Assistant head coach/Defensive coordinator/Defensive line)
• 2025: Illinois (Assistant defensive line coach)

Playing Experience

• 2006-09: Illinois (Defensive lineman)

Personal

• Alma Mater: Illinois, 2010
• Hometown: Massillon, Ohio