Aaron James Football Camps 

are held at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium on the Tuskegee University campus in Tuskegee, Alabama. Camps are led by the Tigers Football coaching staff. Browse the navigation to learn more about our program.

Tuskegee University Football

Head Coach Aaron James

Aaron James enters his third season with the program and second at the helm after being named the 18th head coach of Tuskegee University.

His 2023 Golden Tiger team went 7-4 and 6-2 in SIAC play, while coaching six All-SIAC performers. James’ fast-paced brand of offense, led by one of the strongest rushing attack in the league, ranking second in the conference in rushing attempts (414) and total rushing yards (1,562), third in touchdowns (21) and yards rushing per game (142.0), and sixth in yards per rush (3.8). In the passing game, Tuskegee landed fifth in the SIAC in yards per pass (7.6), sixth in passing yards (1,994), seventh in completion completion (55.5 pct), eighth in completions (146), yards per game (181.3), and ninth in touchdowns. 

All-SIAC receiver Antonio Meeks led the league in receiving yards per game at 93.1, holding a 17.3 yards per catch average along with 43 receptions, 745 yards, and five touchdowns. He was joined on the offensive side of the ball by offensive lineman Damion Clark who had a strong sophomore season in the trenches. Cornerback Mikael King earned First Team All-SIAC honors along with being named a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The sophomore led the SIAC and finished sixth all of Division II in interceptions per game, totaling six on the year. The Tuskegee native also had eight pass breakups on the year, good for third in the conference and 17th nationally. Along with his strong play in the passing game, King ranked fourth on the Golden Tiger defensive unit in total tackles (45), tied for second in solo tackles (29), and added 2.5 tackles for loss in the secondary. His stellar year included six games with four or more tackles and five games with an interception, including a career-high two pick game on the road against Savannah State.

Junior linebacker Malik Moore was a First Team SIAC member along with a Second Team All-Region Two Team honoree. Moore finished fifth in the SIAC and 67th in the nation in total tackles this season (82), averaging 7.5 tackles per game, ninth in the conference in solo tackles with 41 for 3.9 per game, and 10.5 total tackles for loss on the season. The Tallahassee, Fla., native was named the SIAC Defensive Player of the Week once this season and recorded two double-figure tackles games this season, along with ranking third in the league and 22nd in the country in fumbles recovered and having two double-digit tackle performances. The two remaining All-SIAC players included punter Ryan Duff and safety Christian Ramsey.

In the prior season as an offensive coordinator in his return to his alma mater, James helped guide the Golden Tiger offense to a turnaround season for the program, going 8-3 and 7-0 in SIAC play to win the SIAC West Division and reach the 2023 Championship game. Under his watch, Tuskegee gained 3,676 total yards of offense and 39 touchdowns, led by a pair of running backs who ran for over 1,500 total rushing yards combined, while Bryson Williams led the way through the air as the team passed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns.

James also coached three All-SIAC performers in 2022, in First Team running back Taurean Taylor, Second Team center Nathan Harrison, and Second Team receiver Antonio Meeks. In the same season, the program finished fifth in the nation in red zone offense (91.9 percent) and 26th in time of possession (32:04 min/game), and 28th in turnovers lost. Just one season earlier, the team finished the season 64th in red zone offense, 100th in time of possession, and 154th in turnovers lost. The Golden Tigers also had top-75 finishes in team passing efficiency (52nd), interceptions thrown (53), completion percentage (59th), third down conversion percentage (64th), rushing offense (66th), and scoring offense (73rd). 

A 2022 participant in the NFL Coaching Academy, James returns to his alma mater after a year as the offensive coordinator at Bethune-Cookman. With the Wildcats, James coached tight end standout Kemari Averett, who earned All-SWAC First Team, AFCA/FCS Coaches All-American First Team, Stats Perform FCS All-American Second Team, and HERO All-American Second Team honors.

Prior to his stop in the SWAC, James spent nine years at SIAC conference member Miles where he served as the offensive coordinator, a role he was in for three years with the Golden Bears before serving as the quarterback coach for eight of the nine seasons, along with seving as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator previously. During his time with Miles, James coached 24 players who earned All-SIAC honors in his nine seasons, including 12 First Team and 12 Second Team honorees. Running back Justin Hardy highlighted the honorees by winning SIAC MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and earning First Team honors in 2017. James has also been a part of four SIAC championship squads, in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2019, while also coaching on the 2012 team that made Miles’ first-ever Division II playoff appearance. He was instrumental in helping quarterback David Whipple earn First Team All-SIAC honors in 2016. His final year at Miles, the offense averaged better than 28 points per game in 2019 while going 9-3 en route to a conference championship and D2 playoff berth.

He also brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the coaching staff, after serving as former quarterbacks coach at Lane College. His career also includes a stay at Clark Atlanta as their quarterback coach and a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Tuskegee, and an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Bullock County High School.

James was a star quarterback for Tuskegee from 1998-2001, where he compiled an impressive record of 42-5 as a starter. He has the most wins of any signal-caller in Golden Tigers history. He won three SIAC championships during his career, led the Golden Tigers to a 12-0 season and HBCU National Championship in 2000, was an All-Conference selection after the 2001 season and played professionally for the Alabama Lighting of the NAFL in 2004, where he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. His 91-yard touchdown run record from scrimmage is atop the Golden Tigers list.

A native of Pritchard, Alabama and a graduate of Tuskegee, James holds a Bachelor’s degree in History. He is married to Rosie James and he has two daughters, Erin Morrissette and Layla James.