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Bowdoin College has announced the hiring of James (JB) Wells as the 29th head football coach in school history.

Most recently the head coach at Endicott, Wells is a 1991 graduate of Trinity (Conn.). He replaces Dave Caputi, who coached the Polar Bears for 15 seasons, compiling a career mark of 35-85 (.292).

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"JB has demonstrated an unquestionable commitment to supporting the academic, community and athletic interests of members of his program at Endicott, and we are excited for the future of our football program under his leadership," said Ashmead White Director of Athletics Tim Ryan. "JB's success as a head football coach speaks for itself and his personal experience as a two-sport athlete in the NESCAC will be invaluable.  We are thrilled to welcome JB and his family to the Bowdoin community."

The only head football coach in the history of Endicott, Wells helped establish the program which began intercollegiate play in 2003. Since that time, he has led his team to a pair of New England Football Conference championships and NCAA playoff appearances in 2010 and 2013 and consecutive ECAC North Bowl victories in 2011 and 2012. Over his 12 seasons at Endicott, Wells has accumulated a 75-48 record (.640).

On the field, Wells has helped develop nine All-Americans and over 100 NEFC All-Conference winners. Coach Wells has been honored as the 2010 Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Division II/III Coach of the Year, the 2010 New England Football Writers Division II/III Coach of the Year and the 2013 New England Football Conference Coach of the Year.

Off the gridiron, Wells' teams have produced more than 200 NEFC academic all-conference honorees and four Capital One Academic All-Americans.

"This was a heart-wrenching decision but it is the best one for myself and my family," Wells said in an Endicott news release. "I want to thank Dr. Wylie, Tom Redman, Larry Hiser, and Brian Wylie for taking a chance on me to start the football program at Endicott. What we have been able to do at Endicott with a committed group of players, coaches, and administrators is nothing short of remarkable."

Coach Wells began his career as the tight ends coach at Brown in 1991. He then returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant coaching the offensive line at Trinity from 1992-1993 before serving as offensive line and strength coach at Bates from 1994-1995. He then moved on to the University of Chicago where he coached the running backs in 1996 and the quarterbacks in 1997. He returned to Trinity for one year (1998) before being named assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Illinois Wesleyan from 1999-2001. Wells helped the Titans to the first back-to-back College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships since 1964-65. Wells was then named head coach at Endicott, the first coach in the program's history, on Nov. 29, 2001.

Wells received a B.A. in history (Conn.) from Trinity in 1991, and a M.Ed. from Endicott in 2005. At Trinity, Wells was a three-year starter and letter winner at guard and center as well as being an outstanding shot putter and discus thrower on the indoor and outdoor track teams. He earned the college's prestigious Blanket Award in Athletics, presented to athletes who earn 10 or more varsity letters during their four years.