RECRUITING AREA: Southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo, Chicago Western Suburbs
Jim Louis enters his 12th year as linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for the Laker football program. Louis has helped mold a defense that has had signature games against a variety of offensive schemes. The GVSU defense has ranked among the national leaders in virtually every defensive category since his arrival.
The Lakers' defense has been one of the best in country the last three years in all phases. GVSU has yielded an average of 14.5 points in the last 39 games, holding opponents to 14 points or less 25 times and 14 games of 10 points or less. Opponents have averaged 268.7 yards of total offense, including 94.3 yards rushing per game. In addition, GVSU has recorded 280 tackles for loss, 124 quarterback sacks and picked off 38 passes. Louis has tutored the likes of All-Americans Abe Swanson and Anthony Cardamone, while Jimmy Downs, Damonte McCurdy and Stevie Roncelli have earned All-GLIAC honors.
GVSU allowed 274.6 yards per game in 2023, including GLIAC best 71.0 ypg rushing defense and 16.5 ppg scoring defense. He tutored two-time (2022-2023) consensus All-American linebacker Abe Swanson, who will go down as one of the top defensive performers in GVSU football history.
The 2021 GVSU defense ranked among the national leaders in every defensive category, yielding 281.4 yards and 18.5 points per game. GVSU ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (108.9). The 2019 Laker defense yielded just 272.5 yards of total offense in 2019, including just 131.5 via the ground. In addition, GVSU gave up just 17.0 points per game.
Louis tutored three Lakers (Tyler Bradfield, Tyree Horton, Isaiah Nkansah) that earned All-GLIAC plaudits at linebacker as Grand Valley State ranked 18th nationally in turnover margin (+17) and 23rd in scoring defense (19.1) in 2018.
The Laker defense ranked among the national leaders in points allowed (13.0), passing yards allowed (127.5) and total defense (292.5). GVSU tallied two shutouts and held seven opponents under seven points. Senior LB Collin Schlosser earned First-Team Academic All-America honors.
The 2016 Laker defense ranked second in the GLIAC in points allowed per game (21.2), while leading the league in sacks (3.08) and tackles for loss (7.3) per game. In addition, the Lakers ranked second in interceptions (19) and red zone defense (0.651), while holding four opponents to seven points or less. David Talley, Collin Schlosser and Marquez Gollman earned All-GLIAC plaudits.
Louis’ 2015 unit limited opponents to 132.5 yards per game rushing, while leading the nation in QB sacks with 49 (-294) and tallied 111 tackles for loss (-454). The Lakers also produced 37 turnovers. Talley, who earned All-GLIAC honors, led the team with 128 tackles and 12 TFL, while Gollman, who was a first-team all-american, tallied 117 tackles and three interceptions. Schlosser garnered All-GLIAC honors and ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 84. The 2014 defense limited opponents to 351.0 yards per game and recorded 92 tackles for loss (360).
St. Cloud State experienced a great deal of success on the gridiron since his arrival in 2008. The Huskies were a combined 52-20 overall, including a 45-15 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. In addition, St. Cloud State captured two NSIC co-championships in 2010 and 2011 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs three times during his tenure on the defensive coordinator.
St. Cloud State led the nation in turnover margin in 2010 (+23) and ranked third during the 2013 campaign (+22). His 2011 defense ranked 10th in scoring (17.8 ppg) and 16th in pass defense (167.7 ypg). SCSU ranked among the top four in six defensive categories 22 times since 2008 in the NSIC and he coach a defensive all-american in each of the last three years.
Louis joined the St. Cloud State coaching staff after three seasons as an assistant coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. At Wartburg, he was hired as the defensive line coach in 2005, and in 2006 was named the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Louis directed his Wartburg defense to the number one ranking in nearly every category in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC). In 2007, the Knights were ranked in the top 15 nationally in five defensive categories, including second in the nation in scoring defense.
Louis was a part of the St. Cloud State football program from 1993 to 1997. A three-year starter, he earned All-North Central Conference recognition in 1996 as an Honorable Mention player and in 1997 as a Second Team honoree. He was also named to the 1996 and 1997 Academic All-North Central Conference teams. He ranked among the top five in Husky tackles during the 1995, 1996, and 1997 seasons. He was the second leading tackler for the Huskies in 1997 recording 94 that season. Louis currently ranks 14th on the St. Cloud State tackles chart with 236 during his career.
Jim and his wife, Stacy, are the proud parents of Zoe (21), Ben (19) and Trey (17).
