James Willis (American football)

James Willis (born September 2, 1972) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League and former defensive coordinator for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.

Willis also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the now defunct XFL.

Coaching career
Upon the dissolution of the XFL, Willis decided to retire as a player and returned to Auburn to work towards completing his college degree. He became a student assistant for the Auburn Tigers football team in 2001 and became a defensive graduate assistant in 2003 under defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.

Rhode Island Rams
In 2004, Willis took his first coaching job as the linebackers coach of the Rhode Island Rams.

Temple Owls
In 2005, Willis was hired for the same position by Temple University.

Auburn Tigers
In 2006, Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville hired Willis to return to his alma mater as the linebackers coach under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. When Muschamp left for Texas, his replacement Paul Rhoads kept Willis on staff. When coach Tuberville resigned from Auburn in 2008, the entire staff was initially released by new head coach Gene Chizik, however on December 26, 2008 Willis was retained to again coach linebackers.

Alabama Crimson Tide
Although initially thought to return to Auburn, Willis was hired by Alabama's head coach Nick Saban to be the Crimson Tide's associate head coach and outside linebackers coach on January 21, 2009. During his one season with Alabama, the Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.

Texas Tech Red Raiders
On January 13, 2010, Willis agreed to join head coach Tommy Tuberville to serve as the new defensive coordinator for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team. Prior to the 2011 TicketCity Bowl, Willis allegedly left the program to pursue other career opportunities after a domestic disturbance call at his home.

Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns
On February 7, 2013, Willis agreed to become the new defensive coordinator for the Ragin Cajuns