Weber State University Athletics
James Cowser returns to Weber State football as assistant coach
3/11/2024 2:48:00 PM | Football
Cowser will coach the Wildcat defensive ends
James Cowser is coming back. Weber State football head coach Mickey Mental has announced the hire of Cowser as an assistant coach. He will coach the Wildcat defensive ends and returns to Weber State where he previously coached for three seasons.Â
Cowser was an assistant coach at Weber State from 2021-22. He spent the 2023 season as an assistant coach at Utah Tech where he coached the defensive line and tight ends.Â
During his three seasons at Weber State, Cowser was a part of one Big Sky Championship, and two trips to the FCS Playoffs.Â
He joined the WSU coaching staff in February 2021. During his first year, the spring 2021 season, Weber State finished 5-1 and captured its fourth straight conference title, including the first outright title in school history with a perfect 5-0 Big Sky record. The Wildcats were ranked as high as second in the nation during the season, the highest ranking in school history.Â
In March 2022, Cowser was elevated to a full-time position and coached the Weber State defensive ends. He helped lead the Wildcats to a 10-win season in 2022 and a trip to the second round of the FCS Playoffs.Â
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Cowser is a native of Fruit Heights, Utah, and played high school football at Davis High. He was a standout player in the Big Sky Conference 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.Â
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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.Â
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Cowser was an assistant coach at Weber State from 2021-22. He spent the 2023 season as an assistant coach at Utah Tech where he coached the defensive line and tight ends.Â
During his three seasons at Weber State, Cowser was a part of one Big Sky Championship, and two trips to the FCS Playoffs.Â
He joined the WSU coaching staff in February 2021. During his first year, the spring 2021 season, Weber State finished 5-1 and captured its fourth straight conference title, including the first outright title in school history with a perfect 5-0 Big Sky record. The Wildcats were ranked as high as second in the nation during the season, the highest ranking in school history.Â
In March 2022, Cowser was elevated to a full-time position and coached the Weber State defensive ends. He helped lead the Wildcats to a 10-win season in 2022 and a trip to the second round of the FCS Playoffs.Â
Â
Cowser is a native of Fruit Heights, Utah, and played high school football at Davis High. He was a standout player in the Big Sky Conference 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.Â
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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.Â
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