James Fuller

James Ray Fuller (born August 5, 1969) is an American football coach and former defensive back who is currently the head coach for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football at Walla Walla CC and Portland State before being selected in the 8th round of the 1992 NFL draft; he went on to play three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles while also spending time in the World League of American Football (WLAF) for the Scottish Claymores and Arena Football League (AFL) for the Portland Forest Dragons. He later served as a coach for the Forest Dragons, Bakersfield Blitz, Philadelphia Soul, Dallas Desperados, Dallas Vigilantes, Richmond Raiders, Maine Mammoths, and Jacksonville Sharks.

Early life and education Fuller was born on August 5, 1969, in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Stadium High School and after graduating from there played two years of college football at Walla Walla Community College. He transferred to Portland State University in 1990 and led the team with 104 tackles in his first year at the school. As a senior, Fuller made 84 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions and earned all-conference honors. He was placed on injured reserve to start the season. He returned to the team late in the season and appeared in one playoff game.

In , Fuller made the Chargers roster and appeared in ten regular season games as a backup, making eight tackles. The Chargers finished 8–8, missing the playoffs.

Fuller was released by San Diego in September after being arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

After spending out of football, Fuller signed with the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football (WLAF) in 1996. He appeared in all ten games as a starter, making 47 tackles, one sack, and five interceptions for 46 yards.

Fuller's performance with the Claymores impressed enough for him to be signed back into the National Football League (NFL) by the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in 13 regular season games, two as a starter, and made 19 tackles and an interception. He also played in their one playoff game.

In , Fuller played four games in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Portland Forest Dragons, making 14 tackles and a pass defended.

Coaching career In , Fuller retired from playing and became the associate head coach and defensive coordinator of the Portland Forest Dragons, who were renamed the Oklahoma Wranglers in .

In 2002, Fuller became the head coach of the Bakersfield Blitz in AF2. He led them to the Western Conference Championship in his first season.

In , Fuller became wide receiver and defensive backs coach for the Dallas Desperados, where he served through . He served in that position for five seasons and led them to a record of 37–24. On September 13, 2022, Fuller was promoted to head coach by the Cobras.

On September 14, 2023, Fuller was named the offensive coordinator for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2024 season.

On March 31, 2025, Fuller was promoted to head coach of the Gunslingers after Tom Menas was relieved of his duties as head coach and general manager.