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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. As a senior he compiled a 14–0 record and won an Alabama state championship.

James played college football for Tuskegee University from 1998 to 2001. 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.

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

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. He stayed in that position until 2008. In 2009, he was hired by Lane College as the team's quarterbacks coach.

In 2011, James was hired by Miles College as the team's wide receivers coach. 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.

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

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.

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

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

Personal life

James is married to Rosie and they have two daughters.

Head coaching record

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. ^ "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.

External links

• Tuskegee profile
• Bethune–Cookman profile
• Miles profile

• 1979 births
• Living people
• American football quarterbacks
• Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football coaches
• Clark Atlanta Panthers football coaches
• High school football coaches in Alabama
• Lane Dragons football coaches
• Miles Golden Bears football coaches
• Tuskegee Golden Tigers football coaches
• Tuskegee Golden Tigers football players
• Coaches of American football from Alabama
• People from Prichard, Alabama
• Players of American football from Alabama
• African-American coaches of American football
• 20th-century American sportsmen
• 20th-century African-American sportsmen
• 21st-century American sportsmen
• 21st-century African-American sportsmen