Rhodes College has named Travis James
interim head football coach as of Jan. 12, 2021. James joined the Rhodes staff as Offensive Coordinator in February 2019.
James comes to Rhodes after four seasons at Illinois College, his alma mater. During his time with the Blueboys, he served as offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator, offensive coordinator, and was named associate head coach prior to the 2016 season. At IC, James helped produce 15 All-Midwest Conference (MWC) selections while the Blueboy offense was ranked in the top ten in the NCAA and top three in the Midwest Conference in several statistical categories along with breaking multiple Illinois College school records.
“I am energized to join the Lynx football program and to become an ambassador of Rhodes College,” said James. “I am also grateful to Coach Ryan, the staff, and the players for welcoming me to Memphis. It is a special time to be a Lynx and I am enthused to pursue excellence daily with an exceptional campus community.”
During his final three seasons, James’ coaching focused on the offensive line and quarterback positions. In 2015, the Blueboys were first in scoring in the MWC, 10
th in total offense in DIII and 10
th in DIII in passing offense. The following year IC was ranked sixth in red zone offense across Division III while the Blueboys ranked second in total offense in the MWC in 2018 and produced individual MWC leaders in total offense from Drew Chance (QB) and all-purpose yards from Glen Gibbons (WR). MWC records broken during his tenure include 903 yards in a game, 653 passing yards in a game, and 20 catches by Glen Gibbons in a game.
James has been at a presenter at multiple clinics throughout his career, most recently as a speaker at the 2019 American Football Coaches Association Convention as well as a 2019 Coaches Choice Contributor.
Prior to IC, James served as a member of the inaugural coaching staff at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis as the Spartans played their first year of football in the fall of 2014. James coached the offensive line and tight ends and was also the recruiting coordinator for MBU.
James earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Rhetorical Studies from Illinois College in 2013. He continued his education at the University of Missouri by earning a Master of Education in Educational Psychology.
