Aaron James (American football) explained

Aaron James
Current Title:Head coach
Current Team:Tuskegee
Current Conference:SIAC
Current Record:7–4
Birth Date:14 September 1979
Birth Place:Prichard, Alabama, U.S.
Alma Mater:Tuskegee University (2002)
Player Years1:1998–2001
Player Team1:Tuskegee
Player Years2:2004
Player Team2:Alabama Lightning
Player Positions:Quarterback
Coach Years1:2002–2003
Coach Team1:Tuskegee (GA)
Coach Years2:2004
Coach Team2:Bullock County HS (AL) (AHC/OC)
Coach Years3:2005–2008
Coach Team3:Clark Atlanta (QB)
Coach Years4:2009–2010
Coach Team4:Lane (QB)
Coach Years5:2011–2014
Coach Team5:Miles (WR)
Coach Years6:2015–2017
Coach Team6:Miles (QB)
Coach Years7:2018–2020
Coach Team7:Miles (OC/QB)
Coach Years8:2021
Coach Team8:Bethune–Cookman (OC)
Coach Years9:2022
Coach Team9:Tuskegee (OC)
Coach Years10:2023–present
Coach Team10:Tuskegee
Overall Record:7–4
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. Following his stint with the Alabama Lightning he became the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for Bullock County High School.

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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: December 22, 1996 . Clay County twosome take All State honors . January 25, 2024 . . 36.
  2. News: Thomas . Ben . December 23, 2001 . Comegy contemplates the future . January 25, 2024 . . 38.
  3. News: Thomas . Ben . August 30, 2003 . Tuskegee wins back-and-fourth brawl with ASU . January 25, 2024 . . 5.
  4. News: Thomas . Ben . December 23, 2001 . Golden Tigers make strong case for national crown . January 25, 2024 . . 38.
  5. Web site: Aaron James - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory . 2024-01-26 . Tuskegee University Athletics . en.
  6. News: Mahone . Vanessa . August 12, 2005 . Alabama Lightning: Still Time to Catch This Undefeated Football Team In Action . January 25, 2024 . . 132.
  7. News: Mahone . Derrick . August 25, 2005 . Option offense pleases Clark QBs . January 25, 2024 . . D9.
  8. News: Brietzke . Luke . November 3, 2007 . Tuskegee squad in no mood to share . January 25, 2024 . . 111.
  9. News: Vines . Matt . August 28, 2010 . Lambuth, Lane begin football seasons today . January 25, 2024 . . 26.
  10. Web site: January 11, 2023 . Aaron James officially introduced as Tuskegee head coach . January 25, 2024 . HBCU Sports.
  11. Web site: Aaron James - Football Coach . 2023-08-21 . Miles College Athletics . en.
  12. Web site: August 14, 2021 . Bethune-Cookman brings in Miles College OC . January 25, 2024 . HBCU Gameday.
  13. Web site: Aaron James - Football Coach . 2023-08-21 . Bethune-Cookman University Athletics . en.
  14. Web site: Lee . Thonnia . January 10, 2023 . Tuskegee Alum Aaron James '04 Named Head Football Coach . January 25, 2024 . Tuskegee University.
  15. Web site: Winter . Jack . July 16, 2023 . HBCU news: Tuskegee coach Aaron James on leading historic program . January 25, 2024 . ClutchPoints.
  16. Web site: Majors . Derek . July 19, 2023 . Former Tuskegee University Quarterback Aaron James Gets 'Head Coach Status' . January 25, 2024 . Black Enterprise.
  17. Web site: 2023-07-13 . 6 Golden Rams Named to the All-SIAC Preseason Football Team . 2024-01-26 . Albany State University Athletics . en.
  18. Web site: Hayes . James . September 3, 2023 . Tuskegee triumphs over Fort Valley State in thrilling Boeing Red Tails Classic . January 25, 2024 . WSFA.
  19. Web site: Humphrey III . Jerry . September 3, 2023 . Tuskegee wins their first Red Tails Classic in a thriller over Fort Valley . January 25, 2024 . Montgomery Advertiser.
  20. Web site: September 12, 2023 . Big second quarter sends Tuskegee football team past Kentucky State . January 25, 2024 . The State Journal.
  21. Web site: Bonner . Lindsey . September 11, 2023 . Tuskegee gets the win on the road at Kentucky State . January 25, 2024 . WAKA Action 8 News.
  22. Web site: 2023-09-16 . Tuskegee Holds off Central State with 27-21 win, Improves to 3-0 for First Time Since 2016 . 2024-01-26 . Tuskegee University Athletics . en.
  23. Web site: Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs Live Score and Stats - September 30, 2023 Gametracker . 2024-01-26 . CBSSports.com . en.
  24. Web site: Snyder . Deron . October 2, 2023 . Alabama A&M treats record crowd to homecoming rout of Tuskegee . January 25, 2024 . thegrio.
  25. Web site: Football History vs Morehouse College . 2024-01-26 . Tuskegee University Athletics . en.
  26. Web site: Freeman . Clayton . October 14, 2023 . 'Are you kidding me?' See Edward Waters University's Hail Mary pass to stun Tuskegee . January 25, 2024 . The Florida Times-Union.
  27. Web site: November 23, 2023 . Alabama State blows out Tuskegee in Turkey Day Classic . January 25, 2024 . HBCU Sports.
  28. Web site: Football History vs Alabama State University . 2024-01-26 . Tuskegee University Athletics . en.
  29. Web site: Humphrey III . Jerry . November 23, 2023 . Alabama State football dominates Tuskegee to win Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery . January 25, 2024 . Montgomery Advertiser.
  30. Web site: 2023 Football Schedule . 2024-01-26 . Tuskegee University Athletics . en.