Jim continued his football career at Bowling Green State University and lettered during his freshman season.   Unfortunately, Jim's gridiron career came to an end due to a back injury suffered in an automobile accident.

Staying close to athletics, Jim moved to coaching where he achieved outstanding success in both boy's and girl's sports.  His greatest coaching accomplishment was in girl's basketball at Columbia High School.  Jim's team won a conference championship, eight sectional championships, one district runner-up and three district championships.  He was voted MAC-8 Conference Coach of the Year four times and received the honor of coaching in the Lorain County All-Star game eight times.