mims: One of the most talented assistant coaches at SSC.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's basketball head coach Billy Mims has announced the promotion of Joey James to associate head coach.
“We are very excited to reward Joey for his exceptional contributions to the success of our program by promoting him to the role of associate head coach,” Mims said.
“Joey is one of the most talented assistant coaches in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) and I am fortunate to have him on the sideline.”
“He is one of the few people at SSC with collegiate head coaching experience and has been an integral part of our success over the past several seasons. This promotion and new title are well-deserved.”
James will enter his sixth year on the Tech sideline in the 2024-25 season. In his first five seasons with the Panthers, James has led Tech to a 63-57 record, 32-48 SSC record and four SSC Tournament appearances, including two semifinal appearances in the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons.
“I am extremely grateful for my promotion to associate head coach,” James said.
“I would like to especially thank Coach Mims and Director of Athletics Jamie Joss for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to continuing my work with Coach Mims and developing outstanding scholar-athletes both in the classroom and on the court. I’m looking forward to it.”
During his time with the Panthers, he has led five different scholar-athletes to All-SSC recognition, including two two-time All-Conference honorees in Sesan Russell ’23 (All-SSC First Team, 2020-21 Second Team, 2022-23) and Shawn Haupt ’23 (All-SSC Freshman Team, 2020-21 Second Team, 2022-23).
Prior to coming to Florida Tech, James spent five years as the men's basketball head coach at NCAA DII Concordia St. Louis. Pole. As soon as he was hired by his CSUP in 2014, Golden made an impact on the Bear basketball program.
James finished 19-11 overall in his first season at Concordia in 2014-15, leading the team to an 11-win upset and marking the third-most wins in a single season in program history.
The team also set a conference record of 14-8 in its debut season, setting a program record for most wins in the NSIC. The 11-win improvement was a team record and the best improvement in the NSIC in the 2014-15 season. Over his five seasons in St. Paul, James led the Golden Bears to a 52-96 record.
Before joining Concordia's sideline, James spent one season as interim head coach at his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, where he served as an assistant coach for 11 seasons prior to his interim appointment. James played for the Coyotes from 1997 to 1999.
In the interim season, James and the Coyotes went 12-18 overall and 6-8 in the Summit League. USD advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament in each of his first five seasons as an assistant, including a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2004-05 season. In 12 total seasons as USD's coach, the program led him to a 225-137 (.622) record. James was involved in every aspect of his USD basketball career, leading his team to its seventh straight 20+ win season and two conference championships.
James began his collegiate career as a player at Iowa Western Community College, where he averaged 15 points as a sophomore before transferring to South Dakota and in his first year with the Coyotes, he averaged eight points as a junior and helped lead the team to a 19-8 season.
During James' senior season, the University of South Dakota finished 23-7, won the North Central Conference Championship, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
James graduated from South Dakota State in 2001 with a degree in Recreational Science. He earned his Master's degree in Sports Management from USD in 2003.
Born in Winter Haven, Florida, James lived in the area until he was nine years old when his family relocated to Bellevue, Nebraska. His parents and family have since moved back to Florida and reside in the Melbourne area. James lives with his wife Marla and his children Crew and Tegan.
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