Aaron James (American football)

Aaron James
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamTuskegee
ConferenceSIAC
Record12–10
Biographical details
Born (1979-09-14) September 14, 1979 (age 45)
Prichard, Alabama, U.S.
Alma materTuskegee University (2002)
Playing career
1998–2001Tuskegee
2004Alabama Lightning
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2002–2003Tuskegee (GA)
2004Bullock County HS (AL) (AHC/OC)
2005–2008Clark Atlanta (QB)
2009–2010Lane (QB)
2011–2014Miles (WR)
2015–2017Miles (QB)
2018–2020Miles (OC/QB)
2021Bethune–Cookman (OC)
2022Tuskegee (OC)
2023–presentTuskegee
Head coaching record
Overall12–10
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
All-SIAC (2001)

Aaron James (born September 14, 1979) is an American college football coach. He is the head football coach for Tuskegee University, a position he has held since 2023. He also coached for Bullock County High School, Clark Atlanta, Lane, Miles, and Bethune–Cookman. He played college football for Tuskegee as a quarterback.

Early life and playing career

James was born in Prichard, Alabama, and played high school football for Mattie T. Blount High School in Eight Mile, Alabama, as a quarterback.[1] As a senior he compiled a 14–0 record and won an Alabama state championship.[2]

James played college football for Tuskegee University from 1998 to 2001.[3] During his career he compiled a 42–5 record as a starter including back-to-black black college football national championships in 2000 and 2001.[4][5]

In 2004, James signed with the Alabama Lightning of the North American Football League (NAFL).[6]

Coaching career

James began his coaching career following his graduation from Tuskegee as a graduate assistant for two years.[5] Following his stint with the Alabama Lightning he became the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for Bullock County High School.[5]

In 2005, James was named as the quarterbacks coach for Clark Atlanta University.[7][8] He stayed in that position until 2008. In 2009, he was hired by Lane College as the team's quarterbacks coach.[9]

In 2011, James was hired by Miles College as the team's wide receivers coach.[10] After four years he was promoted to quarterbacks coach before being promoted again in 2018 to offensive coordinator while maintaining his role as quarterbacks coach.[11]

In 2021, James was hired by Bethune–Cookman University as offensive coordinator under head football coach Terry Sims.[12][13]

Tuskegee

In 2022, James returned to his alma mater, Tuskegee, as the offensive coordinator under Reginald Ruffin who he had previously worked under while at Miles.[14]

Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Ruffin announced his retirement and James was hired as his replacement on January 10, 2023.[15][16]

In James's first season, Tuskegee started the year projected to finish third in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).[17] In the season opener, Tuskegee defeated Fort Valley State 37–31 in the Red Tails Classic.[18][19] The following week, the Golden Tigers visited Kentucky State and won 36–10 in the first week of SIAC play.[20][21] In the home-opener and Hall of Fame Game, Tuskegee hosted Central State and won 27–21.[22] On September 30, 2023, Tuskegee visited Division I FCS opponent Alabama A&M and lost 3–58.[23][24] In the annual Morehouse Tuskegee Classic, Tuskegee outlasted Morehouse 40–28 to win back-to-back years and their tenth win all-time.[25] On homecoming, Tuskegee hosted Edward Waters and lost 38–41.[26] The Golden Tigers finished the year by playing in the Turkey Day Classic against Alabama State.[27] They lost 3–41 and it was their fourth-consecutive loss to ASU.[28][29] In his inaugural season as a head coach, James lead the Golden Tigers to a 7–4 record and finished tied second in the conference.[30]

Personal life

James is married to Rosie and they have two daughters.[5]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Tuskegee Golden Tigers (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (2023–present)
2023 Tuskegee 7–4 6–2 T–2nd
2024 Tuskegee 5–6 5–3 5th
Tuskegee: 12–10 11–5
Total: 12–10

References

  1. ^ "Clay County twosome take All State honors". Ledger-Enquirer. December 22, 1996. p. 36. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Thomas, Ben (December 23, 2001). "Comegy contemplates the future". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 38. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Thomas, Ben (August 30, 2003). "Tuskegee wins back-and-fourth brawl with ASU". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 5. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Thomas, Ben (December 23, 2001). "Golden Tigers make strong case for national crown". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 38. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Aaron James - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Mahone, Vanessa (August 12, 2005). "Alabama Lightning: Still Time to Catch This Undefeated Football Team In Action". Pensacola News Journal. p. 132. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Mahone, Derrick (August 25, 2005). "Option offense pleases Clark QBs". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. D9. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Brietzke, Luke (November 3, 2007). "Tuskegee squad in no mood to share". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 111. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Vines, Matt (August 28, 2010). "Lambuth, Lane begin football seasons today". The Jackson Sun. p. 26. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Aaron James officially introduced as Tuskegee head coach". HBCU Sports. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "Aaron James - Football Coach". Miles College Athletics. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "Bethune-Cookman brings in Miles College OC". HBCU Gameday. August 14, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Aaron James - Football Coach". Bethune-Cookman University Athletics. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  14. ^ Lee, Thonnia (January 10, 2023). "Tuskegee Alum Aaron James '04 Named Head Football Coach". Tuskegee University. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Winter, Jack (July 16, 2023). "HBCU news: Tuskegee coach Aaron James on leading historic program". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Majors, Derek (July 19, 2023). "Former Tuskegee University Quarterback Aaron James Gets 'Head Coach Status'". Black Enterprise. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  17. ^ "6 Golden Rams Named to the All-SIAC Preseason Football Team". Albany State University Athletics. July 13, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Hayes, James (September 3, 2023). "Tuskegee triumphs over Fort Valley State in thrilling Boeing Red Tails Classic". WSFA. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Humphrey III, Jerry (September 3, 2023). "Tuskegee wins their first Red Tails Classic in a thriller over Fort Valley". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Big second quarter sends Tuskegee football team past Kentucky State". The State Journal. September 12, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Bonner, Lindsey (September 11, 2023). "Tuskegee gets the win on the road at Kentucky State". WAKA Action 8 News. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Tuskegee Holds off Central State with 27-21 win, Improves to 3-0 for First Time Since 2016". Tuskegee University Athletics. September 16, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  23. ^ "Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs Live Score and Stats - September 30, 2023 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  24. ^ Snyder, Deron (October 2, 2023). "Alabama A&M treats record crowd to homecoming rout of Tuskegee". thegrio. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "Football History vs Morehouse College". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  26. ^ Freeman, Clayton (October 14, 2023). "'Are you kidding me?' See Edward Waters University's Hail Mary pass to stun Tuskegee". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "Alabama State blows out Tuskegee in Turkey Day Classic". HBCU Sports. November 23, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  28. ^ "Football History vs Alabama State University". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  29. ^ Humphrey III, Jerry (November 23, 2023). "Alabama State football dominates Tuskegee to win Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  30. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.