James Li was born in China and came over to the United States in 1985 to earn his masters degree from Washington State University. While pursuing a masters coach Li worked as a graduate assistant with the Cougar distance runners. Coach Li became the head track and field coach at Minnesota State University in 1990 and stayed there until 1994 when he got the opportunity to return to his alma mater. In 1998 Li was named Cougar head cross country coach and remained in Pullman until he became the head cross country coach at Arizona. Coach Li has coached some of the world's best distance runners, including two time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat. In total Li has coached 30 conference champions, 50 All-Americans, and 9 national champions.
Highlights
Coached Lagat to a bronze (2000) and a silver (2004), 30 conference champions, 50 All-Americans, 9 national champions