Temple University Athletics
JAMES WILLIS NAMED TEMPLE ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH
12.20.05 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - James Willis, who spent the last two seasons as linebackers coach at the University of Rhode Island, has been named to the Temple football coaching staff coach by head coach Al Golden. Willis, who played linebacker for seven seasons in the NFL, including four (1995-98) with the Philadelphia Eagles, will handle either the defensive line or linebackers for the Owls.
"It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome James Willis back to the City of Philadelphia," said Golden. "Not only did coach Willis start for three seasons with the Eagles, but his wife Shalane grew up in Wellsboro, Pa. In recent years James has established himself as one of the best recruiters in the Tri-State Area, while working at the University of Rhode Island. James is a class act and brings a wealth of football experience, enthusiasm and an extensive record of achievement to our program."
In addition to coaching the linebackers at Rhode Island under head coach Tim Stowers, Willis served as pro liason, referee contact, was responsible for rules interpretation, and monitored player academic progress. He recruited Delaware, northern Virginia, southern New Jersey, Philadelphia and south Florida for the Rams. In 2004, Teddy Gibbons earned team MVP and All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors under Willis' tutelage after making 114 total tackles.
Willis began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, Auburn University, in 2001. He served as a student assistant for two seasons before working as a graduate assistant coach in 2003. The Tigers played in bowl games in each of Willis' three seasons under head coach Tommy Tuberville and concluded the 2002 campaign ranked 14th nationally with a 9-4 record after defeating Penn State, 13-9, in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.
Willis entered the coaching ranks after playing professionally for eight seasons. Selected in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by Green Bay, he played in 25 games in two seasons with the Packers and was a teammate of current Temple defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. Willis then signed with the Eagles, wearing #50 from 1995 to 1998 under head coach Ray Rhodes. Willis was a three-year starter (1996-98) for the Birds, who made playoff appearances during his first two seasons. He was second on the team in tackles in 1996 (77) and was tied for the team lead in tackles in 1997 (82). The middle linebacker registered 105 stops in 1998, second-most on the team.
Willis played one season for the Seattle Seahawks in 1999 before concluding his professional career with the Birmingham Bolts of the XFL. He was named the team's defensive MVP after making a club best 70 tackles in 2001.
A native of Huntsville, Ala., Willis was a three-year starter (1990-92) at Auburn under head coach Pat Dye. The SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year in 1990, he earned All-SEC first team honors in 1992. He twice led the team in tackles, making 123 in 1990 and 126 in 1992. His best game was on Nov. 17, 1990, when he made 18 tackles in a 33-10 victory over SEC rival Georgia. The linebacker was voted to Auburn's All-Decade team for the 1990s.
Born September 2, 1972, Willis completed his bachelors's degree in adult education at Auburn in 2003. He and wife Shalane have two children, Jade (10) and Jalen (five).
