James was a college assistant coach for 12 years, working under Florida States Bill Peterson, Michigans Fritz Crisler and Colorados Eddie Crowder. He counted all as influences. But his time and location in Tallahassee from 1959-65 gave him the opportunity to study Alabama coach Bear Bryant from a
Larry Lacewell described in the book "Wish Bone'' that the Sooners didn't decide to recruit Lucious Selmon until Barry Price switched his commitment from Oklahoma to Oklahoma State the day before signing day. Lacewell showed up at the Selmons house to find Colorado coach Eddie Crowder there. When he