Joey James was named interim head men's basketball coach on Sept. 6, 2013. James was an assistant coach for Dave Boots, who retired in September of 2013 following 25 seasons at USD.
James, 37, played for the Coyotes for two seasons from 1997-99 and has been an assistant coach at USD for the last 10 seasons. South Dakota reached the NCAA Division II tournament in each of James' first five seasons on staff. The team has a 194-112 record (.634), boasts seven 20-win seasons, and has won two conference championships with James on its bench.
James has been involved with all aspects of USD basketball in his decade of service. He has been Boots' top recruiter, establishing early relationships with talents like Tyler Cain, Roman Gentry, Dylan Grimsley, Louie Krogman, Eric Hall, Charlie Westbrook and, most recently, Juevol Myles, who led the team in scoring last season. He has been Boots' right-hand man in game management and game preparation.
James is a native of Bellevue, Neb., and averaged 24 points per game as a senior at Bellevue West High School. He attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs where he averaged 15 points per game as a sophomore. He transferred to USD prior to the 1997-98 season and averaged close to eight points per game while donning the red and white. The Coyotes were 19-8 during James' junior season. USD was 23-7 during the 1998-99 season, won the NCC championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament. It was the first of seven NCAA tournaments the Coyotes would make in the next 10 seasons.
James graduated from USD in 2001 with a degree in recreation. He earned his master's degree in athletic administration from USD in 2004.
James and his wife, Jena, have a son, Jaylen (12), and two daughters, Jayci (8) and Jayna (6).
