Tennessee offensive line analyst lands running back coach role at South Florida
Tennessee offensive line analyst Micah James has been hired by former Vol offensive coordinator Alex Golesh to be the running backs coach at South Florida.
James replaces former Vol quality control analyst Matt Merritt who left USF to take the running backs job at Miami last week.
James has been working alongside Glen Elarbee the last couple of seasons that produced record setting rushing attacks and a top 10 draft pick in Darnell Wright.
James began his coaching career at Arkansas State after completing an all-Sun Belt Conference playing career at Middle Tennessee in 2012, which was followed by an invitation to participate in the Atlanta Falcons’ and Dallas Cowboys’ NFL rookie mini-camps in 2013. Things didn’t work out in the NFL.
During his senior season at Middle Tennessee, James was voted one of five permanent team captains and selected first-team all-Sun Belt after helping the Blue Raiders to an 8-4 regular season record.
The 2012 campaign saw James start all 12 games at center, and he was third among linemen with 844 total snaps. He was part of a line that ranked second nationally in fewest sacks allowed and paved the way for three different 100-yard rushers. He collected 78 knockdowns, including a season-high 10 against both Memphis and Western Kentucky.
James earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis in criminal justice and coaching from Middle Tennessee in 2012. He achieved his associate’s degree in 2010 from Georgia Military.
He transferred to Middle Tennessee in 2011 after playing at Georgia Military as a freshman and sophomore in 2009 and 2010. His sophomore season saw him start all nine games on a team that went 6-3.
James has been at several different stops along the way including UMass, Utah State, UCF, Maryland and others.
James is a Georgia native.
