The University of South Carolina Upstate announced this week that Joey James will join its men's basketball program as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2026‑27 season, adding a seasoned strategist to the coaching roster.
A Coach With a Proven Track Record
James arrives with more than two decades of experience across NCAA Division I and II programs, as well as stints in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and high‑school athletics, positioning him as a versatile asset for the Spartans.
His most recent role as Director of Athletics at Harmony High School in Florida placed him in charge of 26 varsity teams, where he managed budgets, facilities, compliance and overall program direction.
Before that, he served as associate head coach at Florida Tech, contributing to the Panthers' run to the Sunshine State Conference Tournament semifinals in 2023‑24, and earlier he led Concordia University, St. Paul to a 52‑win stretch between 2014 and 2019.
James also spent a season as interim head coach at South Dakota, guiding the Coyotes to a 12‑18 record, and he previously played for the same program, helping the team to a 42‑14 record and a 1999 North Central Conference championship as a senior.
A native of South Dakota, he earned a bachelor's degree in recreation and a master's in athletic administration from South Dakota University, blending practical know‑how with academic rigor.
His expertise in recruiting, scouting, player development, fundraising and booster relations is expected to strengthen USC Upstate's competitive edge as the program seeks to deepen its talent pipeline and contend for conference honors.
Athletic director Marty Richter expressed confidence that James's blend of administrative savvy and on‑court development will help the Spartans advance in the coming seasons.