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Colgate University Athletics

james groce

James Groce

  • Title
    Defensive Line
    Recruits: South Georgia, Texas (San Antonio and Austin), New York (Sections 1/9), Florida (Jacksonville/Panhandle), Alabama and Mississippi
  • Email
    jgroce@colgate.edu
  • Phone
    315-228-7603
James Groce was named Colgate’s defensive line coach in May 2024.

He joins Colgate after holding the same position at Marist College for the past five years. With the Red Foxes, Groce coached six All-Conference selections, one ECAC Second-Team student-athlete, and a Phil Steele All-American. 

Prior to his time at Marist, Groce was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for West Virginia State University, where he and his staff led the Yellow Jackets to the program’s first winning season in over 10 years. 

Groce began his coaching career at Concord High School in Wilmington, Del. In one season as defensive line and wide receivers coach, he produced two All-Conference players, one of which would go on to play FCS football.  

A defensive lineman in college, Groce began his playing career at Coastal Carolina before transferring to West Chester, where he walked on the team and played for four seasons. 

Groce graduated from West Chester University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. He later went on to earn a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications from Marist College in 2021.