Bio

James Rollins was named head coach of cross country/track and field at Defiance College in June 2023.

Through his first year leading the programs, the Yellow Jackets produced an individual conference champion in each the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Rollins has coached college runners for over 10 years beginning as an assistant coach at Capital University in 2011. After two years in Columbus, he returned to his alma mater, Central State University, as the head cross country/track and field coach until the fall of 2020. With Central State, he was also the strength and conditioning coach for four years while mentoring a two-time Division II national champion hurdler. Rollins has also spent the bulk of his professional career as a teacher and youth coach.

Rollins completed his bachelor’s degree in Science of Education from Central State in 1996 and is a member of the university’s athletic hall of fame. During his college career, Rollins captured four NAIA national titles as a hurdler. He also competed at the USA Track & Field National Championships in 1996 and 2000. Rollins grew up in Toledo, Ohio and is a graduate of Libbey High School.