Football
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator
- Email:
- taj011@bucknell.edu
Travis James joined the Bucknell football staff as the offensive coordinator in January 2026.Â
James most recently spent three seasons at John Carroll with Head Coach Jeff Behrman, before following him to the Bison. While there, the Blue Streaks ranked in the top-10 nationally in team passing efficiency (5th, 2023) (4th, 2024) (6th, 2025), team completion percentage (5th, 2023) (2nd, 2024) (1st, 2025), and third-down conversion percentage (3rd, 2023) (6th, 2025). John Carroll players ranked at the top of their positions each year in statistics such as completion percentage, pass efficiency, and receiving yards. John Carroll teams over the three seasons broke 11 school records, and saw four All-Americans, including Bucknell graduate Nick Semptimphelter (QB) and Tyren Montgomery (WR) this past season.
Under James’ direction in 2024, Quarterback Nick Semptimphelter set the career records for completion percentage (74.4%) and passing efficiency (194.0). Semptimphelter also finished 3rd in JCU history in passing yards per game with 242.7. Wide Receiver Tyren Montgomery set the single season JCU Receiving TD record and won the OAC Ed Sherman Wide Receiver of the Year award in 2024. Matt Wrather won D3football.com and AFCA All-America honors, the OAC's Ken Wable Offensive Lineman of the Year award for the second straight season, the first two-time winner in JCU Football history. He was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® distinction for the second time.
Prior to his time at John Carroll, James followed Head Coach Jeff Behrman from Union College, where he served as offensive coordinator for two seasons.Â
During his tenure at Union, the Dutchmen ended the season ranked in the top-15 in Division III in sacks allowed twice (including third in 2021) and the top-25 in red zone offense. Union was also a consistent top performer in the Liberty League in scoring offense, third- and fourth-down conversions, sacks allowed, and rushing offense, ranking in the top-two of the conference in all categories.Â
Before his two successful seasons at Union, James spent two seasons on staff at Rhodes College, a Division III school in Memphis, Tennessee. James served as the offensive coordinator for one season before assuming the role of interim head coach for the abbreviated Spring 2021 season. During his time with the Lynx, James helped to create new recruiting processes as Co-Recruiting Coordinator, updated the team’s video systems, helped in strength & conditioning as Athletic Performance Co-Coordinator, led the team's leadership development program, and took a lead role in branding and marketing as the team's Creative Director.
Before Rhodes, James spent a 4-year stint at his alma mater, Illinois College, serving as Offensive Line Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator before earning a promotion to Associate Head Coach for his final two years. The Blueboys were consistently ranked among the best in the conference and nation, including a top-10 scoring offense and passing offense in Division III during the 2015 season and the country's sixth-best red-zone offense in 2016.Â
James’ collegiate coaching career began in 2014 at Missouri Baptist University, where he coached the offensive line and tight ends while also serving as Recruiting Coordinator for the NAIA program. While at Missouri Baptist, he helped produce the #25 red-zone scoring offense in the NAIA and #20 ranked unit in sacks allowed.Â
James graduated from Illinois College in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in communication and rhetorical studies. He then earned a master's of education in educational psychology from the University of Missouri in 2016.
