Brian James Retires After 50-Year Coaching Career | Northwestern Wildcats Basketball News

Northwestern Wildcats Basketball News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 1, 2026 · 1m

After fifty years shaping basketball legends and building a historic program, Brian James is retiring — and Northwestern’s basketball legacy just got a whole lot richer. From coaching Michael Jordan and Vince Carter in the NBA to designing the iconic “Play” that launched the Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament for the first time, James’ fingerprints are everywhere. His deep bond with Chris Collins — dating back to high school — made his tenure at Northwestern not just impactful, but profoundly personal. Now, with family — especially his granddaughter — calling the shots, James is stepping away…