Cris James

Biography

Cris James joined the NC State men's tennis coaching staff in July of 2017 as an assistant coach. James also holds the role of recruiting coordinator for the team. In 2024, he was named the Carolina Regional ITA Assistant Coach of the Year. Formerly the head men’s tennis coach at Illinois State from 2007-13, James came to Raleigh after spending four seasons as a second assistant coach at Notre Dame. James was a crucial leader in the most successful 2025 season that led to the program's third NCAA Super Regional appearance, two All-Americans, a 22 win season, new program record for most conference wins (12), and the program's second-ever ITA National Team Indoors appearance. In the fall he helped coach Martin Borisiouk, Braden Shick, and Luca Staeheli at the 2024 NCAA Singles Championship, marking the most players in a season to represent the Pack at that tournament. In 2021-22, he helped six members of the squad to double-digit-win seasons and assisted the squad to a 20-win season. The Pack made a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament after hosting a regional site for the first time under head coach Kyle Spencer. During the 2020-21 season, James was able to assisted the Pack to its third consecutive NCAA berth for the men's tennis team. NC State finished out the regular season in the ITA Rankings at No. 25 with the assistance of James. James helped head coach Kyle Spencer lead the team to one of its most successful seasons in program history with a historic 2019 season.