James Lott joined Johnson C Smith University in 2023, where he currently serves as Corners Coach and Special Teams Coordinator.
Prior to arriving at Johnson C Smith, Coach Lott spent two seasons at Fayetteville State University as Assistant Head and Defensive Backs Coach.
There he assisted the defense as one of the top defenses in the CIAA and highly ranked defensive pass game statistics in the country for Division II, two CIAA Championship appearances winning the Championship in the 2022 season, and a first round appearance in 2022 Division II Playoffs.
Prior to Fayetteville State, Lott’s first college coaching stint was at Johnson C Smith. He served eight years collectively working as an Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator, and Defensive Backs Coach. Lott coached a Defense team that ranked in the top 20 in several categories and set the school record for interceptions in the CIAA during his time at JCSU.
Coach Lott has mentored over 500 student-athletes during his tenure as a high school and college coach. Players include All-American players in the CIAA: DB Carlo Thomas, LB Austin Jacques, DE Javonte Williams, DB Brandon Barnes-Brown, DB Josh Williams (current NFL player for Super Bowl Champions, Kansas City Chiefs).
Lott attended Clemson University from 1985 to 1989, where he was a four-year starter, and recorded the most starts by a Clemson defensive player in Clemson history. He is a former All ACC Defensive Back and is also ranked in the top 10 for the best plays by a Clemson Tiger when he caused a safety to help Clemson win the game vs. the Georgia Bulldogs in 1986. He went on to play in Defensive Back in the NFL for two years with Chicago Bears, and played two seasons in the Canadian Football League.
He earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Catawba College.
Lott is a native of Kannapolis, NC, together he and his wife Jena’ have five children and one granddaughter.
