Utah Tech University Athletics

James Cowser is in his second season on the Trailblazer staff as defensive line coach.

Coach Cowser came to Utah Tech after three seasons at Weber State, where he served as defensive ends coach, and helped lead the Wildcats a Big Sky Conference title and two trips to the NCAA D-I FCS playoffs. 

Cowser was a standout player in the Big Sky at Southern Utah where he twice earned All-America honors and was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP as a senior in 2015. He finished his career as the NCAA FCS all-time leader in career sacks and tackles for loss and now ranks second in both categories. 

He totaled 42.5 career sacks and 80 career tackles for loss in his 48 games with the Thunderbirds. He also holds the conference record for tackles for loss in a season with 28.5 in 2014. He was also part of the SUU team that won the Big Sky title in 2015. 

After his college career, Cowser spent three seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders from 2016-18. He appeared in 22 career games with the Raiders and recorded 32 tackles with 21 solo tackles. He also had one quarterback sack and one forced fumble. 

Coach Cowser earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at SUU in 2014.