MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University Director of Athletics Steve Browning has announced that James Bowlin has been named the Mulerider Track & Field and Cross Country Head Coach; effective immediately. The official announcement was made at 5 p.m. on Monday July 22. Bowlin brings seven years of coaching experience to Magnolia.
"We are super excited for Coach Bowlin to join our family here in Mulerider Country! After spending time with him," Browning notes, "and visiting with other top coaches in the region that know Coach Bowlin, it didn't take us long to realize that he would be a great fit here at SAU. He will bring a ton of energy and a modern training approach that will be very beneficial to our student-athletes within our programs. Great days ahead for our cross country and track programs!"
"I'm thrilled to be accepting the position of head cross country and track & field coach here at Southern Arkansas University," states Bowlin. "I want to thank Coach Browning for this opportunity to lead the team and work with a talented group of student-athletes. I'm also excited to compete against some strong competition within the Great American Conference."
Bowlin arrives to Magnolia after just capping off his first year as head coach of Moundbuilder Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field and Cross Country at NAIA affiliate Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. His responsibilities consisted of training the development of those in distance, jumps, sprints, vaults, and multi events.
"It'll be an honor to bring my experience and expertise to this role," Bowlin added. "I have coached at two other conferences within the Central Region of NCAA Division II and am well aware of how competitive it can be. Stepping up to those challenges and growing from those experiences have built me up to where I'm at today and trained me to coach at a higher level. I am thankful to my mentors that have helped me along the way to this point, and I can't wait to apply those lessons and mentor the next generation of student-athletes here at SAU!"
In his time at Southwestern College (2023-2024), Bowlin was host to two home meets including the Mid-States Classic (Cross Country) and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship meet.
While Bowlin's head coaching experience comes from the NAIA level, he has plenty of exposure to the competitiveness of the NCAA Division II degree. Prior to his stint with the Moundbuilders, Bowlin was an assistant coach at the University of Central Oklahoma (2021 -2023) where he trained event areas such as distance, middle distance, jumps, and pole vault.
During his time with the Bronchos, Bowlin aided in setting four new program records, multiple all-conference cross country honors, many top-ten program marks, two NCAA DII national provisional marks, 3x Team USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, individual regional scholar awards, and various All-MIAA Academic honors.
To begin his coaching career, Bowlin started out at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's Wayne State College (2017-2021) in Wayne, Nebraska. The events he was responsible for training were those of distance and middle distance races. His highlights as an assistant coach for the Wildcats included yearly NSIC conference scorers, multiple top-ten program marks, 4x Team USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, and many All-NSIC Academic honors.
Bowlin earned his Associates of Science and Arts at Johnson County Community College to then go on and acquire his Bachelors of Science in Business & Entrepreneurship at Emporia State University, and then finally obtain his Masters degree in Organizational Management: Sports and Recreation during his time at Wayne State College.
His certifications are listed as follows:
• USA Track & Field Level 1
• CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified
• USTFCCCA Endurance Specialist
• USTFCCCA Strength & Conditioning
• USTFCCCA Technical Basics
In his own collegiate career, Bowlin competed in both the NJCAA and NCAA DII in events such as the 800m up to the 8000m. His honors included KJCCCA All-Conference, All-Region, 2012 Team Indoor Region VI Champions, NJCAA national qualifier, and NJCAA All-American. Bowlin also received the Cavalier Leadership Award while making the Dean's and President's List with All-MIAA Academic Honors at Emporia State University.
Career History
- Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach at Southwestern College (2023 – 2024)
- Assistant Track & Field/Women's Cross Country Coach at the University of Central Oklahoma (2021 – 2023)
- Assistant Track & Field/Cross Country Coach at Wayne State College (2017 – 2021)
Education History
- Wayne State College (Masters of Science in Organizational Management: Sports and Recreation)
- Emporia State University (Bachelor of Science in Business & Entrepreneurship)
- Johnson County Community College (Associates of Science and Arts)
