He already had some of the duties, but now A.J. Milwee has been given the title of offensive coordinator by coach Terry Bowden.
Bowden promoted Milwee from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator Wednesday, giving him control of a unit that provided its share of thrills this year with its quick pace and emphasis on the passing game.
“I'm excited to give A.J. this opportunity,” Bowden said in a news release. Bowden assumed the role of offensive coordinator during the 2012 season, his first as UA’s coach.
“He has a great mind for the style of offense we run and worked really well with our quarterbacks this past season,” Bowden said. “He and I shared much of the play-calling duty this past year and I will continue to work closely with the offense.”
Under Bowden, the Zips’ total offense improved from one of the worst in the MAC to the upper half of the conference and went from last to eighth in scoring.
Milwee played quarterback at the University of North Alabama.
The move will give Bowden the opportunity to focus on the team as a whole, while Milwee will concentrate on the day-to-day duties of the offense.
A spokesman for the athletic department called the move “organizational.”
Given Milwee’s experience, he could prove instrumental in developing the Zips’ young stable of quarterbacks, including projected starter Kyle Pohl.
Milwee came to Akron after one year as an assistant at East Mississippi Community College. He helped that program win an NJCAA national championship. He spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons on Bowden’s staff at UNA as a graduate assistant, working with the quarterbacks.
The Lions were 20-6, made back-to-back playoff appearances and were 2009 Gulf South Conference champions during his time there.
Milwee, 26, is the second-youngest coordinator in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com.
