| Raiders Tirol | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1960-12-08)December 8, 1960 (age 65) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school | Divine Child (Dearborn, Michigan) |
| College | Michigan |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
James Herrmann (born December 8, 1960) is an Americanfootball coach and former player. He is currently head coach of theRaiders Tirol in theEuropean League of Football.[1] Prior to that, he waslinebackers coach for theIndianapolis Colts of theNational Football League (NFL) and theBowling Green Falcons football team. He playedcollege football at theUniversity of Michigan from 1980 to 1982 and served as an assistant football coach at Michigan from 1985 to 2005, including nine years asdefensive coordinator from 1997 to 2005. After the1997 Michigan Wolverines football team won the national championship, Herrmann received theFrank Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation. He also served as theNew York Jets' linebackers coach from 2006 to 2008. He was Defensive Coordinator for theNew York Guardians and for theSan Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.
Herrmann was born in 1960 and raised inDearborn Heights, Michigan. He attendedDivine Child High School inDearborn.[2] He playeddefensive end for Divine Child football team.[3]
Herrmann enrolled at theUniversity of Michigan in 1979 and playedcollege football as aninside linebacker for head coachBo Schembechler'sMichigan Wolverines football teams from 1980 to 1982.[2] He started one game at inside linebacker for the1980 Michigan team, but was otherwise a backup toAndy Cannavino,Paul Girgash, andMike Boren.[4][5][6] In three years at Michigan, Herrmann compiled 65 tackles and three pass breakups.[7]
In 1985, Herrmann returned to the University of Michigan as an assistant football coach. He was promoted to the status of a full-time assistant coach at age 29 in December 1989.[8] His responsibilities included linebackers and special teams. In December 1996, following the departure ofGreg Mattison, Herrmann took over as Michigan'sdefensive coordinator.[9] In December 1997, after Michigan completed an undefeated season ranked #1 in theAP Poll,[10] and having led the nation in total yards, scoring and pass efficiency,[11] Herrmann won theFrank Broyles Award as the year's top assistant college football coach.[12][13]
In 2004, the Michigan defense gave up 279 points (23.2 points per game), including 75 points in losses to Ohio State and Texas in the final two games.[14] Criticism of Herrman grew during the 2005 season and became even more heated as Michigan lost five games, compiled its worst record in 21 years, and gave up 244 points in 2005 (20.3 points per game).[15][16][17] In February 2006, Herrmann left Michigan to accept a position as linebackers coach with theNew York Jets.[18]The Michigan Daily reported at the time that it was not clear whether "Herrmann chose to leave or fled before [he] could be fired or demoted."[19]
Herrmann served as the linebacker coach for theNew York Jets from 2006 to 2008.[20] In January 2009, he was hired as the linebackers coach for theNew York Giants.[20] On January 14, 2016, Herrmann was hired as the linebackers coach for theIndianapolis Colts.
In February 2019, he was named associate head coach and linebackers coach forBowling Green,[21] but instead joined theNew York Guardians of theXFL as defensive coordinator.[22]
Herrmann was officially hired by theSan Antonio Brahmas on September 13, 2022[23]
Herrmann is married to May Chamoun. Jim has three children: Jessica, Cory, and Timothy. May has one daughter: Christine