THE SIDELINES : Aaron James New Grambling Coach

Former NBA star Aaron James became the new head coach today for Grambling State University’s troubled men’s basketball program.

“This is a dream-come-true situation,” James said at a news conference announcing his appointment. “I played here, now I live here and this has always been one of the jobs I knew I’d love to have and I’m glad to be able to work with the Grambling program.”

James takes charge of a program reprimanded by the NCAA this month for NCAA rules violations under former Coach Bob Hopkins, who resigned in June.

The NCAA placed Grambling on probation for one year, stripped the school of two scholarships for the next two years and imposed a ban on postseason tournament and television appearances.