No stranger to the football landscape
in Alabama is former Auburn and Sand Diego Chargers running
back Lionel James, who comes on board to coach Thunderbolts
running backs in the XFLs first season.
James served as offensive coordinator for the Birmingham Steeldogs
of arenafootball2 last season and was running backs coach
for he Kansas City Chiefs prior to that. Collegiate coaching
stops for James include Appalachian State and Auburn.
A star running back at Auburn from 1981-83, James ran helped
compose one the most dynamic backfields in Tiger history,
teaming with Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson for two of those
seasons. In fact, it was James and not Jackson who won Auburns
offensive player of the year award in 1982.
As a pro, James set seven Chargers records and one NFL record
during his seven-year career. He owns San Diego records for
punt and kickoff return yards, while also setting the team
mark for combined return yards. His 2,534 yards on combined
yards in 1985 set the NFL standard.
Named the Chargers most valuable player in 1985, James led
the team in rushing and receiving that season. He led the
team in punt returns for four years, kickoff returns for two
years and was the teams leading scorer in 1987.
James career NFL statistics include 209 receptions for 2,278
yards, 99 kickoff returns for 2,094 yards and 124 punt returns
for 1,193 yards.
James and his wife, Kesha, are the parents of one child, Lionel
James II. |