Freddie Lee James

Born and raised in Atlanta Texas near Texarkana and the Arkansas border. He credits his mother, Victoria Smith-James, for his guidance and devotion to God. He was raised with two sisters, Johnnie V. and Rosa Lee, and one step-brother John. Freddie James quickly became a popular local athlete he played on State Championship teams in football, basketball, baseball and track and graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School with a scholarship to Prairie View A&M University. While at Prairie View he played on the 1958 National Championship Football Team in the positions of both Running back and Defensive back.

He earned his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and History, a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling and he also earned the love of his life, his college sweetheart, Ms. Eva June Jackson.

Coach James began his coaching career in 1964 in Calvert Texas at Spigner High School where he won a district championship in football. In the late 1960's Coach James accepted a position with the Dallas Independent School District at J.N. Ervin High School. While coaching at J.N. Ervin he won the Quarter- final Championship game in baseball for the Prairie View League, which later became the UIL, this was before integration. In the 1970's integration caused changes for DISD and he was sent to D.W. Carter High School as assistant football coach. In 1982 Coach James was given the Athletic Director position for D.W. Carter High School. In the 14 year period serving in that capacity he turned the school's football teams losing record completely around to a winning record, in those years he won 133 games and lost 19 with 2 ties and several spots in State Semi-final playoffs. In 1988 D.W. Carter defeated San Antonio Justin for the State Championship by over 30 points, but later the UIL title was stripped because of one player's grades.

By the leadership of Coach James, Carter High School has become a recruiting focal point for every nationally prominent college program. Coach James has been recognized on numerous occasions the 1988 Frederick Douglas Award, 1989 Table of Champions, UIL Hall of Honor, African American Hall of Fame at Fair Park in Dallas, the 2003 Prairie View Hall of Fame, in 2015 he was inducted into the 1958 Championship Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Texas Sports Hall of Fame 2019, DISD Hall of Fame 2017 he was also recognized as DISD Coach of the Year (8) times between the years of 1982 - 1996.

As a result of his efforts the movie "Friday Night Lights" was written which later became a TV mini-series.

The "Carter High the Movie" hit the big screen; also the Carter story was featured on ESPN 30 for 30 show.

Coach James is a member of Texas High School Coaching Association, North Texas Inter-Alumni Council of the UNCF, Inc., YMCA Mentoring Project. He is also the Co-Founder Coach Freddie James Community Reading Club, the active President and CEO of the Divine Fountain Ministries, Inc. (DFMI) 501© which since 2017 has been working closely with Connect Dallas celebrate all of our State High School Champions in the DFW area.

In 2025 he has been highlighted in the Red Bird Mall history documentary as well as being an honoree in the Labor Day Classic football Gala and game between Prairie View and TSU.

He has been blessed with a beautiful family one son, Frenanda, and three grandchildren Montrice, Little Freddie and Faith James, and one great-granddaughter Na'riah Rea, also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and special friends who he also considers family