The University of Tennessee Southern

Ross James begins his second season as Head Coach of the University of Tennessee Southern women’s basketball program in 2025–26.

James joins the Firehawks with more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience across all levels of NCAA basketball, bringing a proven track record in recruiting, player development, and program building.

He most recently served as an assistant coach at Fordham University during the 2023–24 season under Head Coach Bridgette Mitchell. Prior to Fordham, James spent the 2022–23 season at Utah State as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, and the 2021–22 season at Sacred Heart University, where he played a key role in one of the program’s most successful recruiting classes.

While at Sacred Heart, James recruited Ny'Ceara Pryor, the first freshman in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to be named Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Pryor was also named NEC Tournament MVP and led the Pioneers to the conference title. Her accolades included ECAC First Team, All-Met Rookie of the Year, World Exposure Report Mid-Major Freshman of the Year, and honorable mention All-American honors, as well as being featured on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. James also coached Maiya Bergdorf, an NEC All-Rookie selection, while managing responsibilities in post development, recruiting, scheduling, scouting, and offensive strategy.

From 2017 to 2022, James served as the head coach at Mary Baldwin University, where he orchestrated a historic program turnaround. Taking over a two-win team, he led the Flying Squirrels to three consecutive USA South Tournament appearances and 30 new program records, including snapping a 101-game conference losing streak in his first season. His success earned him USA South Coach of the Year and D3 Hoops South Region Coach of the Year honors in 2019. During his time at Mary Baldwin, he coached three all-conference selections and a conference Rookie of the Year.

James began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Texas Woman's University (2012–14), where he earned his Master’s degree and coached an all-conference player and freshman of the year. He then spent three seasons at Lafayette College as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, where he helped secure a Blue Star Honorable Mention Top-60 recruiting class in 2017—an unprecedented achievement for the program. His recruits included two McDonald's All-American nominees and 2017 All-Rookie selection Olivia Gumbs.

Coach James brings a player-first mindset and a deep commitment to building a competitive and empowering culture within the Firehawk women’s basketball program.

Coaching History