Since he first stepped on the mat as a freshman in 1976, David James has been synonymous with wrestling at the University of Central Oklahoma. A four-time All-American and two-time national champion for the Bronchos, James compiled an impressive 116-16 record, good enough to still rank third in career winning percentages at the school with 88 percent and 11th on the career win list.

After graduation, James started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCO. He coached one year at Edmond Memorial High School before returning to his alma mater to take over as Broncho head coach. In his 24 years as head coach, he has won 11 national titles, five in NAIA and six in NCAA Division II, and finished second five times. In fact, in his 24 years, his teams have finished in the top four 23 times. His 2007 team is the pre-season favorite to win it all again. James has coached 43 individual national champions, including two four-time national champs, and 145 All-Americans. Five of his wrestlers have been honored as the Outstanding Wrestler at the national tournament. Six times James has been honored as national Coach of the Year. He was selected for the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1988, the UCO Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991 and to the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 2005.

For his lifetime of service to wrestling in the state, David James is honored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.