James Fuller (American football) explained

James Fuller
Current Team:San Antonio Gunslingers
Position:Offensive coordinator
Birth Date:5 August 1969
Birth Place:Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:208
High School:Stadium (WA)
College:Walla Walla CC
Portland State
Draftyear:1992
Draftround:8
Draftpick:201
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:23
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:2
Statlabel3:Tackles
Statvalue3:27
Statlabel4:Interceptions
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Interception ret. yards
Statvalue5:4
Aflstatlabel1:Games played
Aflstatvalue1:4
Aflstatlabel2:Tackles
Aflstatvalue2:14
Aflstatlabel3:Passes defended
Aflstatvalue3:1
Regular Record: (AFL)
(AF2)
(NAL)
(SIFL)
(PIFL)
Playoff Record: (AF2)
(PIFL)
Overall Record: (AFL)
(AF2)
(NAL)
(SIFL)
(PIFL)
(overall)
Pfr:FullJa20
Afl:James_Fuller-548

James Ray Fuller (born August 5, 1969) is an American football coach and former defensive back who is currently the offensive coordinator for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the National Arena League (NAL). He played college football at Walla Walla CC and Portland State before being selected in the 8th round of the 1992 NFL draft; he went on to play three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles while also spending time in the World League of American Football (WLAF) for the Scottish Claymores and Arena Football League (AFL) for the Portland Forest Dragons. He later served as a coach for the Forest Dragons, Bakersfield Blitz, Philadelphia Soul, Dallas Desperados, Dallas Vigilantes, Richmond Raiders, Maine Mammoths, and Jacksonville Sharks.

Early life and education

Fuller was born on August 5, 1969, in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Stadium High School and after graduating from there played two years of college football at Walla Walla Community College.[1] He transferred to Portland State University in 1990 and led the team with 104 tackles in his first year at the school.[2] As a senior, Fuller made 84 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions and earned all-conference honors.[2]

Professional career

Fuller was selected in the eighth round (201st overall) of the 1992 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.[3] He was placed on injured reserve to start the season.[4] He returned to the team late in the season and appeared in one playoff game.[5]

In, Fuller made the Chargers roster and appeared in ten regular season games as a backup, making eight tackles. The Chargers finished 8–8, missing the playoffs.[6]

Fuller was released by San Diego in September after being arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.[7]

After spending out of football, Fuller signed with the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football (WLAF) in 1996. He appeared in all ten games as a starter, making 47 tackles, one sack, and five interceptions for 46 yards.[1] The Claymores won World Bowl '96 against the Frankfurt Galaxy.[8]

Fuller's performance with the Claymores impressed enough for him to be signed back into the National Football League (NFL) by the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in 13 regular season games, two as a starter, and made 19 tackles and an interception. He also played in their one playoff game.[5] He was re-signed in but did not play.[9]

In, Fuller played four games in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Portland Forest Dragons, making 14 tackles and a pass defended.[10] [11]

Coaching career

In, Fuller retired from playing and became the associate head coach and defensive coordinator of the Portland Forest Dragons, who were renamed the Oklahoma Wranglers in .[12]

In 2002, Fuller became the head coach of the Bakersfield Blitz in AF2. He led them to the Western Conference Championship in his first season.[12]

In, Fuller accepted a position as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League. After the fifth game of the season, he was named interim head coach.[12] As interim coach, he compiled a record of 4–7.[13]

In, Fuller became wide receiver and defensive backs coach for the Dallas Desperados, where he served through .[12]

In, Fuller was named defensive coordinator of the Dallas Vigilantes.[12] He later became interim head coach, leading them to a 2–8 record.[13]

Fuller was named head coach of the Richmond Raiders in 2011.[14] He served in that position for five seasons and led them to a record of 37–24.[12] He was named Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2015.[12]

Fuller was named head coach of the Maine Mammoths in 2018, leading them to a 7–8 finish after a 1–7 start.[12]

In 2019, Fuller became defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Sharks.[12] He was promoted to head coach in 2020, a position he served in until the end of the 2021 season.

Fuller was named offensive coordinator for the Carolina Cobras for the 2022 season.[15] On September 13, 2022, Fuller was promoted to head coach by the Cobras.[16]

On September 14, 2023, Fuller was named the offensive coordinator for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the National Arena League (NAL) for the 2024 season.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: James Fuller NFL Stats. Pro Football Archives.
  2. News: 8. James Fuller. April 28, 1992. 23. Newspapers.com. North County Times.
  3. Web site: 1992 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-05-07 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  4. News: Chargers. The Los Angeles Times. Newspapers.com. September 1, 1992. C1, 210.
  5. Web site: James Fuller Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  6. Web site: 1993 San Diego Chargers (NFL). Pro Football Archives.
  7. News: Pro football. Wausau Daily Herald. Newspapers.com. September 8, 1994. 10.
  8. Web site: 1996 Scottish Claymores (WLAF). Pro Football Archives.
  9. News: Eagles re-sign James Fuller. Citizen's Voice. Newspapers.com. April 26, 1997. 66. Associated Press.
  10. Web site: James Fuller football statistics. Stats Crew.
  11. Web site: James Fuller. ArenaFan.
  12. Web site: Sharks Name James Fuller Head Coach. Our Sports Central. September 18, 2019.
  13. Web site: James Fuller - AFL Coaches. ArenaFan.
  14. Web site: Raiders choose indoor veteran Fuller as new head coach . Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 19, 2011. Dorr Jr., Vic.
  15. Web site: Cobras Announce Former Sharks Head Coach James Fuller as Offensive Coordinator. Our Sports Central. October 26, 2021.
  16. Web site: James Fuller Promoted to Head Coach. carolinacobras.com. September 13, 2022.