Baxter’s main coaching responsibilities include recruiting, scouting and on-floor coaching.

Prior to arriving at Monmouth, Baxter served as the head coach of the ABA’s Memphis Houn’ Dawgs, during the 2000-2001 season. 

Before his stay in Music City, Jim spent two seasons at Florida A&M University as an assistant coach with the men’s squad.  In his first year with the Rattlers, Jim helped guide the team to the conference tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, after an 0-10 start.

Baxter spent one year at Tallahassee Community College prior to moving on to FAMU as the associate head coach.  The Indiana-native also spent a season in the ACC, as he logged time on the bench with Florida State University the year the Seminoles collected the National Invitation Tournament runner-up trophy.

Prior to moving on to the collegiate ranks, Baxter spent six years with St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As the head coach of the boy’s squad, Baxter led the team to three Florida state quarterfinal finishes and five district championships. In addition, Baxter also headed the Team Florida AAU club (1988-90), guiding it to two AAU National tournament finals.

Baxter’s longest tenure was his twelve-year stint as Palatka High School’s head boy’s basketball coach. 

Baxter had started his coaching career while still an undergraduate student at Indiana State University, as a volunteer coach for his high school basketball team. After his four years as a volunteer coach and undergraduate Sycamore, Baxter enrolled in graduate school and began his full-time coaching position as the assistant coach at the ISU Development High School.

Baxter brings a strong defensive mind set to the Hawks. His philosophy is, “Defense first, strong fundamentals, solid work ethic, then everything else falls into place.”