Cedar Rapids Washington did not have to conduct a statewide search for a new football coach to succeed Tony Lombardi.

A highly qualified candidate was sitting right there in the Washington activities office all along.

Paul James, who was Washington's head football coach from 1995 through 2006 before becoming the school's activities director, has happily agreed to take the football job again.

"It's like being given a second chance at something I love to do," he said Wednesday morning.

"Oh, baby," he remembers thinking when the idea was suggested. "This is a second lease on life here."

James, 59, will continue to serve as Washington's activities director and an associate principal. He said there are no written rules against an adminitrator also serving as a coach in the Cedar Rapids community school district.

Lombardi resigned under pressure as Washington's football coach this spring after seven years. He is currently being investigated by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners on an ethics complaint filed on behalf of Washington parents.

James spent 30 years as a Washington football coach, including 19 years as the defensive coordinator (1976-1995) and 11 years as head coach. He stepped aside to become the activities director seven years ago, but was receptive to the notion of returning to the sidelines when approached by Washington Principal Dr. Ralph Plagman.

"I thought long and hard," said James. "There are a lot of things to think about. My family helped me. We had a family meeting."

Washington compiled a 189-114 record during his 30 years with the program and made the state playoffs 15 times. James led the 2003 club to the Class 4A state championship game and was named the 4A Football Coach of the Year that season.

James also served as the Washington girls basketball coach for 24 years from 1979 to 2003. He won state basketball titles in 1988 and 1995, placed second in 1985 and is a member of the IGCA Girls Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

James noted the heavy time demands on high school activities directors, but said it's not much different from coaches who teach during the day. He said he'll receive administrative help during the fall with event management while he's coaching the football team.

"It works for a lot of people around the country," he said. "That's what football coaches do. They teach during the day."

James said he feels good and is ready to tackle his new assignment.

"When I was growing up, people who were 59 or 60 - that was old. But not now," he said. "Things have changed in the world.

"I don't feel 59," he said. "I feel like I did 15 or 20 years ago."

James said he's missed being an active part of a football team, something he did since he was 10 years old.

"Flag football, junior high, high school, college, 30 years of coaching. It's tough to walk away," he remarked.

James is looking forward to his first game at Kingston Stadium as Washington's new head coach.

"That turf out there is new since I was on the field," he said. "It's nice to know you don't have to play some of those mud games at Kingston."

The school board must approve his appointment, but that is considered a formality.

"Paul has been a highly respected member of the Washington faculty since 1976," Dr. Plagman said in a news release distributed by the Cedar Rapids community school district. "His outstanding record as a football coach is well known around the state, and we are excited to announce his return to the Warrior sidelines."

A substantial number of Washington football families think Lombardi has been treated unfairly and was forced to resign. James has never commented publicly on the situation, and now he'll be the man who replaces the controversial coach.

"I am excited to have this opportunity to get back into coaching Warrior football," James said in a statement. "I have missed the relationships that you develop when coaching Washington student athletes.

"Football has been an important part of the culture at Washington since the doors were opened in 1957. I am pleased to provide continuity to the program for the students, coaches, parents and fans."