Wolves name Tide analyst as new OC

Former Akron offensive coordinator A. J. Milwee, who most recently served as an analyst at Alabama, will join Butch Jones’ staff as the Red Wolves offensive coordinator, the program announced Monday.

Milwee, 34, is the seventh hire Arkansas State has made since Jones was named coach Dec. 12. His arrival is the second significant hire made in recent days after the Christmas Day addition of defensive coordinator Rob Harley, who joined the Red Wolves after six seasons at Pittsburgh.

Milwee, a former North Alabama quarterback, spent the past two seasons at Alabama, where he worked alongside Jones as an analyst with the Crimson Tide. Prior to his time in Tuscaloosa, Milwee was at Akron from 2012-18, where he spent six of his seven seasons as offensive coordinator. He helped guide the Zips to a Mid-American Conference East Division title in 2017.

“I’ve had an opportunity to work with A.J. on a daily basis over the last two years at the University of Alabama, and I’ve been very impressed with his work ethic, ability to foster and create relationships and his overall knowledge of offensive football,” Jones said in a statement. “A.J. has coordinating experience and has proved that he can manage, motivate and direct an entire offensive unit, which includes not only players, but staff members as well. He is also regarded as a coach who can develop quarterbacks to play at the highest level.”

Milwee compiled a 33-5 as quarterback at North Alabama from 2006-08, setting program records for career passing yards, attempts, touchdowns and total offense. After his playing career, Milwee stayed with his alma mater as a graduate assistant from 2009-10 before serving as quarterbacks coach at East Mississippi Community College, where the Lions won a national championship in Milwee’s lone season on staff.

He arrived at Akron as a quarterbacks coach in 2012, then became the second-youngest coordinator in the Football Bowl Subdivision when he was promoted a year later. As an offensive coordinator under Terry Bowden, Milwee led the Zips’ offense to 331.2 yards per game during his six seasons, during which Akron made two of its three all-time bowl appearances.