Carlos James (born October 12, 1971) is an American college baseball coach, formerly the head coach of the Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions baseball program. He was named to that position prior to the 2011 NCAA Division I baseball season.[1][2][3][4]

Carlos James
Biographical details
Born (1971-10-12) October 12, 1971 (age 53)
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Playing career
1991–1992Seminole State
1993–1994Arkansas
1995–1996Pine Bluff Locomotives
Position(s)Outfielder
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2000–2004Arkansas–Pine Bluff (Asst.)
2008–2010Arkansas–Monticello
2011–2024Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Head coaching record
Overall211–415–2
TournamentsSWAC: 1–8
NCAA: 0–0
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
SWAC Coach of the Year (2013)

Playing career

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James was drafted out of high school by the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 MLB Draft, but elected to play college ball at Seminole State College of Oklahoma. He played two seasons with the Trojans, and reached the NJCAA College World Series in both the 1991 and 1992 seasons. He then completed his eligibility at Arkansas. After his time with the Razorbacks, James played a pair of seasons with the Independent, Pine Bluff Locomotives.[1]

Coaching career

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James served as manager of the Arkansas Prospects of Little Rock and APAK Scout Team of Memphis, travelling teams designed to showcase talent to college and professional coaches and scouts. James also served as a scout for the Seattle Mariners. He served as an assistant coach with Arkansas–Pine Bluff from 2000–2004, and also coached local teams in Pine Bluff. He was named interim head coach at Arkansas–Monticello in 2008 before becoming full-time head coach the following season. He improved the struggling program and helped them compete in the Gulf South Conference, as the first African-American to be named head coach in any sport at UAM, and the first for baseball in the Gulf South. In 2011, James became head coach at Arkansas–Pine Bluff, and earned Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2013.[1][5] and in his fourth season led the Golden Lions to their first ever 2014 SWAC Western Division Championship in school history. James announced via social media on May 28, 2024 that he was leaving Pine Bluff after 14 seasons.[6]

Head coaching record

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This table shows James' record as a head coach at the Division I level.

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (2011–2024)
2011 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 11–34 7–17 5th (West) (5)
2012 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 8–38–1 6–18 5th (West) (5)
2013 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 21–30 13–11 2nd (West) (5) SWAC Tournament[a]
2014 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 22–28 16–7 1st (West) (5) SWAC Tournament[b]
2015 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 25–16 14–6 1st (West) (5) Ineligible[c]
2016 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 22–25 16–5 1st (West) (5) SWAC Tournament[d]
2017 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 15–31 10–14 5th (West) (5)
2018 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 20–25 12–10 3rd (West) (5) SWAC Tournament[e]
2019 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 8–42 3–19 5th (West)
2020 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 6–12 3–3 (West) Season canceled due to COVID-19
2021 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 8–30 8–14 5th (West)
2022 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 13–36–1 9–21 5th (West)
2023 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 18–33 10–22 5th (West)
2024 Arkansas–Pine Bluff 14–35 6–21 5th (West)
Arkansas–Pine Bluff: 211–415–2 143–188
Total: 211–415–2

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

  1. ^ The top four finishers in each of the SWAC's two five-team divisions qualified for the tournament in 2013
  2. ^ The top four finishers in each of the SWAC's two five-team divisions qualified for the tournament in 2014
  3. ^ Ineligible for postseason play due to APR penalties
  4. ^ The top four finishers in each of the SWAC's two five-team divisions qualified for the tournament in 2016
  5. ^ The top four finishers in each of the SWAC's two five-team divisions qualified for the tournament in 2018

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Staff Directory". Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  2. ^ "Carlos James selected to lead UAPB Baseball Program". Onnidan Online. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "Golden Lions Baseball Coach Carlos James Focused on SWAC Goal". Sporting Life Arkansas. May 12, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  4. ^ Justin Rust (February 8, 2012). "James Prepared for Year No. 2". Pine Bluff Commercial. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "SWAC Announces 2013 All-SWAC Baseball Team". TSPN Online. May 14, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  6. ^ Banks, Chris (May 28, 2024). "UAPB head baseball coach announces departure after 14 seasons with Golden Lions". KTHV. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
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