| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Tuskegee |
| Conference | SIAC |
| Record | 7–4 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | September 14, 1979 Prichard, Alabama, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Tuskegee University (2002) |
| Playing career | |
| 1998–2001 | Tuskegee |
| 2004 | Alabama Lightning |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2002–2003 | Tuskegee (GA) |
| 2004 | Bullock County HS (AL) (AHC/OC) |
| 2005–2008 | Clark Atlanta (QB) |
| 2009–2010 | Lane (QB) |
| 2011–2014 | Miles (WR) |
| 2015–2017 | Miles (QB) |
| 2018–2020 | Miles (OC/QB) |
| 2021 | Bethune–Cookman (OC) |
| 2022 | Tuskegee (OC) |
| 2023–present | Tuskegee |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 7–4 |
| 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 the 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 | 0–0 | 0–0 | ||||||
| Tuskegee: | 7–4 | 6–2 | |||||||
| Total: | 7–4 | ||||||||
References
- ^ "Clay County twosome take All State honors". Ledger-Enquirer. December 22, 1996. p. 36. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Ben (December 23, 2001). "Comegy contemplates the future". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 38. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Ben (August 30, 2003). "Tuskegee wins back-and-fourth brawl with ASU". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 5. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Ben (December 23, 2001). "Golden Tigers make strong case for national crown". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 38. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Aaron James - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mahone, Derrick (August 25, 2005). "Option offense pleases Clark QBs". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. D9. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Brietzke, Luke (November 3, 2007). "Tuskegee squad in no mood to share". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 111. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Vines, Matt (August 28, 2010). "Lambuth, Lane begin football seasons today". The Jackson Sun. p. 26. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Aaron James officially introduced as Tuskegee head coach". HBCU Sports. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Aaron James - Football Coach". Miles College Athletics. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Bethune-Cookman brings in Miles College OC". HBCU Gameday. August 14, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Aaron James - Football Coach". Bethune-Cookman University Athletics. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ Lee, Thonnia (January 10, 2023). "Tuskegee Alum Aaron James '04 Named Head Football Coach". Tuskegee University. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Winter, Jack (July 16, 2023). "HBCU news: Tuskegee coach Aaron James on leading historic program". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Majors, Derek (July 19, 2023). "Former Tuskegee University Quarterback Aaron James Gets 'Head Coach Status'". Black Enterprise. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "6 Golden Rams Named to the All-SIAC Preseason Football Team". Albany State University Athletics. July 13, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Hayes, James (September 3, 2023). "Tuskegee triumphs over Fort Valley State in thrilling Boeing Red Tails Classic". WSFA. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Big second quarter sends Tuskegee football team past Kentucky State". The State Journal. September 12, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Bonner, Lindsey (September 11, 2023). "Tuskegee gets the win on the road at Kentucky State". WAKA Action 8 News. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs Live Score and Stats - September 30, 2023 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Snyder, Deron (October 2, 2023). "Alabama A&M treats record crowd to homecoming rout of Tuskegee". thegrio. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Football History vs Morehouse College". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Alabama State blows out Tuskegee in Turkey Day Classic". HBCU Sports. November 23, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "Football History vs Alabama State University". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ Humphrey III, Jerry (November 23, 2023). "Alabama State football dominates Tuskegee to win Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Tuskegee University Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
External links
This page was last edited on 26 January 2024, at 02:13