Aaron James (American football)

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Aaron James

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| current_title = Head coach

| current_team = Tuskegee

| current_conference = SIAC

| current_record = 12–10

| contract =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|9|14}}

| birth_place = Prichard, Alabama, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| 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 = 12–10

| bowl_record =

| tournament_record =

| championships =

| awards = All-SIAC (2001)

| coaching_records =

}}

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.{{Cite news |date=December 22, 1996 |title=Clay County twosome take All State honors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-clay-county-twosome-take/139572984/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Ledger-Enquirer |pages=36}} As a senior he compiled a 14–0 record and won an Alabama state championship.{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Ben |date=December 23, 2001 |title=Comegy contemplates the future |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-comegy-contemp/139573303/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Montgomery Advertiser |pages=38}}

James played college football for Tuskegee University from 1998 to 2001.{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Ben |date=August 30, 2003 |title=Tuskegee wins back-and-fourth brawl with ASU |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-tuskegee-wins/139573169/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Montgomery Advertiser |pages=5}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Ben |date=December 23, 2001 |title=Golden Tigers make strong case for national crown |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-golden-tigers/139572867/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Montgomery Advertiser |pages=38}}{{Cite web |title=Aaron James - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory |url=https://goldentigersports.com/staff-directory/aaron-james/97 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Tuskegee University Athletics |language=en}}

In 2004, James signed with the Alabama Lightning of the North American Football League (NAFL).{{Cite news |last=Mahone |first=Vanessa |date=August 12, 2005 |title=Alabama Lightning: Still Time to Catch This Undefeated Football Team In Action |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-alabama-lightning/139572748/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Pensacola News Journal |pages=132}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Mahone |first=Derrick |date=August 25, 2005 |title=Option offense pleases Clark QBs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-option-offense/139572522/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |pages=D9}}{{Cite news |last=Brietzke |first=Luke |date=November 3, 2007 |title=Tuskegee squad in no mood to share |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-tuskegee-squad/139572635/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Montgomery Advertiser |pages=111}} He stayed in that position until 2008. In 2009, he was hired by Lane College as the team's quarterbacks coach.{{Cite news |last=Vines |first=Matt |date=August 28, 2010 |title=Lambuth, Lane begin football seasons today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-lambuth-lane-begin-foot/139572420/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=The Jackson Sun |pages=26}}

In 2011, James was hired by Miles College as the team's wide receivers coach.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2023 |title=Aaron James officially introduced as Tuskegee head coach |url=https://hbcusports.com/2023/01/11/aaron-james-officially-introduced-as-tuskegee-head-coach/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=HBCU Sports}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Aaron James - Football Coach |url=https://milesgoldenbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/aaron-james/144 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Miles College Athletics |language=en}}

In 2021, James was hired by Bethune–Cookman University as offensive coordinator under head football coach Terry Sims.{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2021 |title=Bethune-Cookman brings in Miles College OC |url=https://hbcugameday.com/2021/08/14/bethune-cookman-brings-in-miles-college-oc/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=HBCU Gameday}}{{Cite web |title=Aaron James - Football Coach |url=https://bcuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/aaron-james/2600 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Bethune-Cookman University Athletics |language=en}}

=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.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Thonnia |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Tuskegee Alum Aaron James '04 Named Head Football Coach |url=https://www.tuskegee.edu/news/tuskegee-alum-aaron-james-04-named-head-football-coach |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Tuskegee University}}

Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Ruffin announced his retirement and James was hired as his replacement on January 10, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Jack |date=July 16, 2023 |title=HBCU news: Tuskegee coach Aaron James on leading historic program |url=https://clutchpoints.com/hbcu-news-tuskegees-new-coach-drops-truth-bomb-on-leading-historic-program |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=ClutchPoints}}{{Cite web |last=Majors |first=Derek |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Former Tuskegee University Quarterback Aaron James Gets 'Head Coach Status' |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/former-tuskegee-university-quarterback-aaron-james-is-now-leading-on-the-sidelines/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Black Enterprise}}

In James's first season, Tuskegee started the year projected to finish third in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).{{Cite web |date=2023-07-13 |title=6 Golden Rams Named to the All-SIAC Preseason Football Team |url=https://asugoldenrams.com/news/2023/7/13/6-golden-rams-named-to-the-all-siac-preseason-football-team.aspx |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Albany State University Athletics |language=en}} In the season opener, Tuskegee defeated Fort Valley State 37–31 in the Red Tails Classic.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=James |date=September 3, 2023 |title=Tuskegee triumphs over Fort Valley State in thrilling Boeing Red Tails Classic |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2023/09/04/tuskegee-triumphs-over-fort-valley-state-thrilling-boeing-red-tails-classic/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=WSFA}}{{Cite web |last=Humphrey III |first=Jerry |date=September 3, 2023 |title=Tuskegee wins their first Red Tails Classic in a thriller over Fort Valley |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/tuskegee-university/2023/09/03/tuskegee-wins-their-first-red-tails-classic-in-a-thriller-over-fort-valley-hbcu-tigers-mgm-football/70680086007/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Montgomery Advertiser}} The following week, the Golden Tigers visited Kentucky State and won 36–10 in the first week of SIAC play.{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Big second quarter sends Tuskegee football team past Kentucky State |url=https://www.state-journal.com/local_sports/big-second-quarter-sends-tuskegee-football-team-past-kentucky-state/article_67d6e18c-510d-11ee-9986-d30fece9f5b5.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=The State Journal}}{{Cite web |last=Bonner |first=Lindsey |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Tuskegee gets the win on the road at Kentucky State |url=https://www.waka.com/2023/09/11/tuskegee-gets-the-win-on-the-road-at-kentucky-state/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=WAKA Action 8 News}} In the home-opener and Hall of Fame Game, Tuskegee hosted Central State and won 27–21.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-16 |title=Tuskegee Holds off Central State with 27-21 win, Improves to 3-0 for First Time Since 2016 |url=https://goldentigersports.com/news/2023/9/16/football-tuskegee-improves-to-3-0-for-first-time-since-2016-with-27-21-win-over-central-state.aspx |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Tuskegee University Athletics |language=en}} On September 30, 2023, Tuskegee visited Division I FCS opponent Alabama A&M and lost 3–58.{{Cite web |title=Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs Live Score and Stats - September 30, 2023 Gametracker |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20230930_TUSK@ALAM/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Deron |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Alabama A&M treats record crowd to homecoming rout of Tuskegee |url=https://thegrio.com/2023/10/02/alabama-am-treats-record-crowd-to-homecoming-rout-of-tuskegee/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=thegrio}} In the annual Morehouse Tuskegee Classic, Tuskegee outlasted Morehouse 40–28 to win back-to-back years and their tenth win all-time.{{Cite web |title=Football History vs Morehouse College |url=https://goldentigersports.com/sports/football/opponent-history/morehouse-college/4 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Tuskegee University Athletics |language=en}} On homecoming, Tuskegee hosted Edward Waters and lost 38–41.{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Clayton |date=October 14, 2023 |title='Are you kidding me?' See Edward Waters University's Hail Mary pass to stun Tuskegee |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/football/2023/10/14/edward-waters-hail-mary-siac-college-football-pass-beats-tuskegee/71192692007/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=The Florida Times-Union}} The Golden Tigers finished the year by playing in the Turkey Day Classic against Alabama State.{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2023 |title=Alabama State blows out Tuskegee in Turkey Day Classic |url=https://hbcusports.com/2023/11/23/alabama-state-blows-out-tuskegee-in-turkey-day-classic/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=HBCU Sports}} They lost 3–41 and it was their fourth-consecutive loss to ASU.{{Cite web |title=Football History vs Alabama State University |url=https://goldentigersports.com/sports/football/opponent-history/alabama-state-university/9 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Tuskegee University Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Humphrey III |first=Jerry |date=November 23, 2023 |title=Alabama State football dominates Tuskegee to win Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/alabama-state/2023/11/23/alabama-state-football-tuskegee-score-turkey-day-classic-2023/71625871007/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Montgomery Advertiser}} 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.{{Cite web |title=2023 Football Schedule |url=https://goldentigersports.com/sports/football/schedule/2023 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Tuskegee University Athletics |language=en}}

Personal life

James is married to Rosie and they have two daughters.

Head coaching record

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Tuskegee Golden Tigers

| conf = Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

| startyear = 2023

| endyear =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2023

| name = Tuskegee

| overall = 7–4

| conference = 6–2

| confstanding = T–2nd

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 2024

| name = Tuskegee

| overall = 5–6

| conference = 5–3

| confstanding = 5th

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = no

| ranking2 = no

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Tuskegee

| overall = 12–10

| confrecord = 11–5

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 12–10

| bowls = no

| poll = no

| polltype =

| legend = no

}}

References

External links

[https://goldentigersports.com/staff-directory/aaron-james/97 Tuskegee profile]
[https://bcuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/aaron-james/2600 Bethune–Cookman profile]
[https://milesgoldenbears.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/aaron-james/144 Miles profile]

{{Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football coach navbox}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football quarterbacks

Category:Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football coaches

Category:Clark Atlanta Panthers football coaches

Category:High school football coaches in Alabama

Category:Lane Dragons football coaches

Category:Miles Golden Bears football coaches

Category:Tuskegee Golden Tigers football coaches

Category:Tuskegee Golden Tigers football players

Category:Coaches of American football from Alabama