James Whitford joined Archie Miller's staff as an assistant coach in April of 2024.
Most recently the head coach at Ball State from 2013-22, Whitford led the Cardinals to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2015-16 and 2016-17. It marked the first time in more than two decades the program had won 20 or more games in consecutive years.
Whitford ranks second in Ball State history with 131 victories. He won three MAC West Division title titles during his run. Before his time at Ball State, Whiford was an assistant coach at Arizona (2009-13, with the final two years as associate head coach), Xavier (2005-09) and Miami University in Ohio (1997-2005).
Over the course of his 27-year coaching career, the teams Whitford has been part of have a combined record of 513-345. He has gone to nine NCAA Tournaments, five Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights. He has been a part of 10 conference championships. He also has gone to two NITs. Whitford has coached 10 players who went on to the NBA, including lottery picks Derrick Williams (No. 2 overall in 2011) and Wally Szcerbiak (No. 6 overall in 1999).
Whitford’s career began at Miami University as a graduate manager during the 1994-95 season. Over the course of 10 seasons there, the RedHawks qualified for three NCAA Tournaments and two NIT appearances. Led by Szcerbiak, the team went to the Sweet 16 in 1999. Whitford worked his way up the ladder, serving as the program’s lead assistant coach from 1998 through 2005.
From there, Whitford joined Sean Miller’s staff at Xavier and wound up coaching with him for the next eight seasons. In eight seasons combined at Xavier and Arizona with Sean Miller, Whitford helped him post an overall record of 199-78 with six NCAA tournament bids, four Sweet 16 appearances and two Elite Eights.
In four seasons at Xavier from 2005-09, Whitford helped the Musketeers reach four straight NCAA tournaments, including Sweet 16 appearances in 2008 and 2009, with a run to the Elite Eight in the latter.
Whitford went with Miller to Arizona before the 2009-10 season and was there through the 2012-13 season. They took the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2011, and back to the Sweet 16 in 2013. Whitford was associate head coach at Arizona for his final two seasons there.
Whitford earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wisconsin in 1994. He finished a master’s degree in Sports Performance and Behavior from Miami University in 1996.
updated 4/30/2024
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