James Wilkes is the head coach of men's golf at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and is set to enter the 2026-27 season in his 15th year leading the program and his 17th overall season on staff.
Wilkes was promoted to head coach in February 2011 after spending two seasons as Villanova's first assistant coach, where his duties included short-game instruction, fitness, and scheduling. Under his leadership, Villanova has reached some of the best results in program history, and he is identified in the source as the winningest coach in school golf history. In 2025-26, the Wildcats won the Big 5 Invitational and the Wildcat/Fazio Invite, while his players recorded nine top-five individual finishes. He has also coached Villanova's first BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, the program's only two All-BIG EAST First Team selections, and a Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year honoree.
