James Curlee

University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Title

Associate Head Football Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Email

jcurlee@uco.edu
Phone

405-974-3439

James Curlee arrived at Central Oklahoma in December 2021 and coaches wide receivers and special teams in his fourth season for the Bronchos, in addition to handling offensive coordinator responsibilities. In August 2024, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.

Curlee was named D2Football.com's Offensive Coordinator of the Year in 2024 after leading Central Oklahoma to a record-setting season. The Bronchos had six players earn All-American honors, the same number earned All-Region accolades, and 18 players earned All-MIAA honors following the season. Central Oklahoma also set 19 new school records in 2024, including seven team records and a dozen individual records. All 19 records came via Curlee's offense.

Curlee coached consensus All-American Terrill Davis at wide receiver, with the pair working together over the past three seasons. Davis set a UCO single season record for receiving yards (1,609) and receiving touchdowns (16). He was one catch off the single season receptions record. Davis earned All-MIAA, All-Region, and All-American honors and was nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Curlee also coached at wideout the MIAA Freshman of the Year in Ashton Schumann.

In his first season with the Bronchos, Curlee helped the team to a 6-5 record, the first winning season at UCO since 2018. He guided the offense that saw two players earn All-MIAA status on the offensive side of the ball. The Bronchos went 5-6 in his second season with two more offensive standouts earning All-MIAA honors. UCO averaged 27 points and more than 400 yards of offense per game in 2023.

Curlee came to Central from Abilene Christian, where he coached from 2017-21. Prior to that he was at Hastings College, where he coached for one year following his four-year playing career.

Curlee, who is from Round Rock, Texas, played four years at Hastings and was a three-time All-Conference selection and two-year team captain. He finished his playing career second in all-time receptions (111) and fourth in all-time receiving yards (1,700).

Curlee is married (Nicole).