GLENDALE, Ariz. — James Bettcher is breaking new ground for a University of Saint Francis alumnus as defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. And as Associated Press writer Bob Baum writes, “Just four years ago, James Bettcher was linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the University of New Hampshire,” to lead off his article that appears on page 7B of Sunday The Journal Gazette.
And online, ESPN offers up another piece by Josh Weinfuss on the 2002 USF graduate and NAIA All-American who was named Arizona Cardinals DC back in February replacing Todd Bowles who took the head coaching job with the New York Jets. After graduating from USF in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration, Bettcher served under Kevin Donley as an assistant coach for football while serving as head coach of the USF track and field program. He left USF for Bowling Green State University, and also served as an assistant at Ball State and the University of North Carolina, where he impressed defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.
“It’s easy to recognize shooting stars,” Arians said when the Cardinals announced Bettcher’s promotion in February. “I know he can coach. There are guys that have jobs for 40 years that shouldn’t have had them. So age has got nothing to do with it. It’s the experience and, like I said, the command of the room is what has always sold me on him.”
Check out Bob Baum’s piece on Bettcher in The Journal Gazette
To check out the Weinfuss report, click here.
And check out the Arizona Republic story on Bettcher getting the job in February.
Bettcher was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 while serving as an assistant coach with Colts. He was a three-time NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete, a three-time Mid-States Football Association Scholar Athlete, a two-time NAIA Coaches’ All-American and a two-time Don Hansen’s All-American as an offensive lineman for the Cougars. He earned all-conference honors three times and was the recipient of the USF Silver Helmet Award for leadership and coachability in 2002. Bettcher also was a four-time track All-American for the Cougars, where he placed second in the shot put at the 2001 NAIA Championships.
James is a native of Lakeville, Ind., and is married to Erica they have one son, Colton.
Ramblings of Jason Dannelly 