James Leverton joined the Little Rock coaching staff in July 2021, filling the responsibility as the Trojan pitching coach.

Leverton comes to Little Rock after spending the past six seasons at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, serving in a variety of roles. Beginning as a volunteer assistant in 2016, Leverton was promoted to pitching coach in 2019 and was a key component of guiding the Highlanders to three conference championships and a pair of NJCAA World Series appearances, culminating with McLellan capturing the 2021 NJCAA national championship on June 5.
 
During his time in Waco, Leverton coached eight All-Conference pitchers, three Pitchers of the Year and a pair of second round Major League Baseball Draft picks in Josh Breaux and Connor Phillips. This past season, Leverton worked side by side with Logan Henderson, the 2021 NJCAA Division I Pitcher of the Year, and also mentored former Trojan Justin Garcia, a 2018 MLB Draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
 
Prior to his time at McLennan, Leverton spent seven years in Minor League Baseball with both the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins organizations. From 2008-2010, Leverton played in the Cubs farm system, reaching the AA level with the Tennessee Smokies and being named a 2010 MiLB All-Star. Leverton was a member of the Marlins organization from 2011-14, playing for AAA New Orleans in 2013.
 
Leverton was an eighth round MLB Draft pick in 2008 after playing three seasons at Texas Tech as a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman. He led the Tech pitching staff in 2008 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 relief appearances, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a first baseman in 2007.
 
A native of Rockwall, Texas, Leverton received his bachelor’s degree in general studies from Texas Tech through McLennan’s University Center in 2016.