James Gaines III

Bio

Since arriving at Moody, Coach Gaines has quickly established his culture within the Defensive Line room that has bled over into our team. "Death Row" has become the name for his group becoming one of the most dominant position groups in the state. This past season, his Defensive Line had 57 sacks and 114 Tackles for Loss. Death Row has produced 5 signees in the last 3 seasons since Gaines has arrived.

Coach Gaines is an experienced football coach with a background in athletics, academics, and the military. As a graduate assistant at UAB, he helped the team win the 2018 Conference USA Championship. A former standout defensive end at Miles College, he played a key role in winning an SIAC championship. He holds a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in secondary education, combining academic insights with a passion for mentoring athletes. As an Army Staff Sergeant, he brings discipline and leadership to his coaching. Off the field, he is a proud father of three, which shapes his balanced approach to coaching and life.

Miles College DE/TE (2010 - 2014)

US Army National Guard (2017 - Present)

UAB Defensive Graduate Assistant (2018 - 2020)

Military Deployment (2020 - 2022)

Moody High School - Defensive Line Coach (2022 - Present)