Tyrone Anthony Wheatley Sr. (born January 19, 1972) is an American football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for Wayne State University, a position he has held since 2023. Previously, he served as the running backs coach of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally as a running back for 10 seasons in the NFL.

Tyrone Wheatley
Wayne State Warriors
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1972-01-19) January 19, 1972 (age 52)
Inkster, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Robichaud (Dearborn Heights, Michigan)
College:Michigan
NFL draft:1995 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:1,270
Rushing yards:4,962
Rushing touchdowns:40
Receiving yards:900
Receiving touchdowns:7
Kickoff return yards:705
Head coaching record
Career:8–26 (.235)
Player stats at NFL.com

In high school, Wheatley was named Michigan's athlete of the year in both football and track and field. He attended the University of Michigan and earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors on Big Ten Champion football and track teams. He ranks among the Wolverines' all-time rushing leaders in numerous categories, and his name appears in several places in the Big Ten football record book. He was named to All-Big Ten teams in football and track and field a total of four times, and he earned portions of seven Big Ten championships (two team awards for football, one team award for indoor track, one award for 110 meter hurdles, and three awards for individual football statistical performances).

Following his graduation from the University of Michigan, Wheatley was selected by the New York Giants of the NFL in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins, but cut before the 1999 season began. He signed with the Oakland Raiders and led the team in rushing three times, and twice finishing among the NFL's top ten players in rushing touchdowns. During his NFL career (19952004), he totaled over 6,500 all-purpose yards as a running back and kickoff returner.

After retiring from the NFL, Wheatley returned to his hometown to coach his high school alma mater, Dearborn Heights' Hamilton J. Robichaud High School. He has served as the running backs coach for the Ohio Northern Polar Bears, the Eastern Michigan Eagles, the Syracuse Orange and the Michigan Wolverines on college; and for the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.

Early life edit

Wheatley was born in Inkster, Michigan. Wheatley's father (also named Tyrone)[1] suffered a mortal gunshot wound to the head in 1974 when Wheatley was two years old.[2] Wheatley's stepfather died of a heart attack when he was 13, leaving behind Wheatley, his sister, and half-brother, two-year-old Leslie Mongo.[1] Shortly afterward, Wheatley's mother, Patricia,[2] was laid off and became an alcoholic. With the effective loss of his two parents, Wheatley and his sister were forced to move in with an aunt, where he lived through the rest of his childhood.[1] Due to family difficulties, Wheatley acted as the guardian of two cousins and his half brother.[1][2] Mongo was ten years younger than Wheatley,[2] and graduated from high school in New Jersey in 2004—thirteen years after Wheatley had graduated from high school.[3]

Wheatley was involved in competitive athletics from an early age: In his youth, he ran competitively with the Penn Park track team, where, as an eight-year-old, he stood out for his discipline and promptness.[4] Because of his family trouble, he assumed a family leadership role at a relatively young age. Wheatley made it clear to his brothers and sisters that when chaos came to their lives, they should to turn to him because he would be there and he would never fall.[1] When he was in high school, he would take his younger siblings to basketball games, mapping out emergency plans for shooting outbreaks or brawls.[2] Wheatley's guardianship continued throughout his career at the University of Michigan and while he was a professional athlete. While playing in the NFL, he realized that leaving Mongo—the youngest of his siblings—in Inkster and merely providing financial support was not a solution because Mongo was still exposed to gang shootings. As Mongo's guardian, Wheatley moved Mongo to New Jersey for school. Mongo later earned outstanding freshman athlete honors during the Bergen County, New Jersey outdoor track championships while living with Wheatley, who was playing for the Giants at the time.[2] In 2004, with his graduation from high school imminent, Mongo signed a letter of intent with Utah State as a defensive back.[3]

School career edit

High school edit

 
The Silverdome hosted the MHSAA state football championships from 1976 to 2004.

Wheatley attended Hamilton J. Robichaud High School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, a neighboring municipality of Inkster. During his time at Robichaud High School, he became a nine-time MHSAA state champion (seven-time individual in track and field, one-time team each in track and field and football). He is among the highest-scoring football players in Michigan high school history,[5] and he led his high school to the state football championships while playing eight different positions and being named the Michigan Football Player of the year.[6][7] In the 1990 MHSAA Championship game against upper peninsula powerhouse Kingsford High School at the Pontiac Silverdome, Wheatley ran for 165 yards and a touchdown in a 21–7 victory.[8] That season, he led the Bulldogs to a 12–1 record, and to their only state football championship.[9] He has been described as the greatest football player in Michigan High School history.[10]

In track and field, he won the Michigan High School Track and Cross Country Athlete of the Year award in 1991.[11] However, at one point Wheatley had quit the track team because the coach refused to let him run four individual events as a sprinter, jumper and hurdler.[1] The coach relented, and Wheatley became a seven-time MHSAA Class B individual state champion by winning the long jump, 100 meters, 110-meter hurdles both his junior and senior seasons and winning the 200 meters as junior.[12] In his junior year, he led his school to the state Class B track championships,[13] and he became the first individual four-time track and field state champion in the same year in MHSAA history.[14] Through the 2007 MHSAA season he was the MHSAA All class long jump record holder with a 1991 leap of 24 ft 7 in (7.49 m), his high school 100 meters time (10.59 seconds, 1990) continues to rank third in MHSAA history, and his 110-meter hurdles time (13.87 sec., 1991) ranked seventh in MHSAA history.[15] In addition, through the 2007 track season his hurdle time continued to be a MHSAA lower peninsula Class B state record.[16] His long jump record has been retired.[14] Wheatley became a high school All-American in track,[2] and he was also a member of successful relay teams in high school. He had made a name for himself as a nine-time Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state champion athlete.[9] His athleticism and jumping abilities were further exhibited in basketball; Wheatley played for his high school basketball team and was able to slam dunk.[2][9] He claims that against his high school rival, Inkster High School, he performed a dunk from the foul line, which is a difficult dunk made famous in slam dunk competitions by Julius Erving (Dr. J.) and later revived by Michael Jordan.[9] Yet, despite his versatility and promise, Wheatley considered turning down athletic scholarships in hopes of obtaining an academic scholarship.[1]

College edit

 
Wheatley earned the 1993 Rose Bowl MVP.

Wheatley chose to remain in metropolitan Detroit and attend the University of Michigan on an athletic scholarship. He played running back for the football team for four years and ran on the track team for three years. As both a football player and track athlete he was highly decorated; he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors on teams that won Big Ten Championships in both sports and All-American Honors in track. In football, he set and retains numerous school records and in track he achieved some of the fastest times in school history. Offensive coordinator Fred Jackson recalled that Wheatley was always prompt, never overweight, played while injured, and even babysat for Jackson's children.[17] Wheatley was described in the press as a football player who put his team ahead of himself.[18]

Wheatley wore #6 for the Michigan Wolverines football program from 1991 to 1994.[19] At the end of the 2007 season, he ranked third in Michigan football history in career points and second in career touchdowns (behind Anthony Thomas) with forty seven rushing touchdowns, six receiving touchdowns and one kickoff return for a touchdown.[20][21] His 47 rushing touchdowns, which ranked third in Big Ten history at the end of his career, ranked fifth behind Ron Dayne (71), Anthony Thompson (68), Pete Johnson (56) and Thomas through the 2006 season.[22] His 17 touchdowns in 1992 ranks as the fifth most productive offensive season in Michigan history.[20] In 1992, he was the Big Ten rushing and scoring champion in an offense where Michigan quarterback Elvis Grbac was also a statistical Big Ten champion.[23] He earned the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award that season and capped the season off by earning the MVP of the 1993 Rose Bowl on a 235-yard, 15-carry performance against Washington Huskies,[24][25] which included touchdown runs of 88, 56 and 24 yards.[26]

Through the 2012 season, he ranked fifth on the Michigan career rushing yards list (behind Mike Hart, Denard Robinson, Anthony Thomas, and Jamie Morris) with 4,178 yards.[21] His 1992 sophomore season 7.3 yards per carry is a Michigan single-season record (minimum 75 attempts),[27] and his freshman yards per carry average ranks fourth at Michigan since 1949 (and it is a Michigan Freshman record).[21] He has both the best and second-best single-game (minimum 15 carries) yards per carry performances in Michigan history.[27] He was a three-time All Big Ten selection.[28][29][30]

As a freshman for the 1991 Wolverines, Wheatley set the Michigan freshman yards per attempt record with 555 yards on 86 carries for a 6.4 yards per attempt. In his sophomore year, he broke through with his first of three consecutive first team All-Big Ten selections.[31] He rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 Rushing touchdowns in addition to 3 Receiving touchdowns and recording a kickoff return touchdown while subbing for the injured Ricky Powers.[21] Wheatley had amassed the most touchdowns by a running back in Michigan history by the end of his junior year and was a professional prospect. In 1993 at the end of his junior season 1993 Wolverines, he earned the MVP award of the 1994 Hall of Fame Bowl.[18] Wheatley had finished 8th in the 1993 Heisman Trophy race.[32] Before LeShon Johnson's 306 yard effort in November of that season against Iowa team that Wheatley had rushed for 113 yards against, Wheatley had been mentioned as the best running back in the nation,[33] but Johnson's effort and Bam Morris' final three games of 223, 222 and 223 yards led to Bam Morris winning the Doak Walker Award.[34] Most who finished ahead of him in the Heisman voting either were seniors (Ward, Glenn Foley, Johnson) or gave up their amateur eligibility and declared early for the draft (Heath Shuler, David Palmer, Marshall Faulk), which made Wheatley one of the favorites for the award if he stayed in college for one more year. He stayed at Michigan for another year with the stated intent of obtaining his degree, but stayed without receiving the degree.[35] However, the preseason 1994 Heisman Trophy favorite (along with 7th-place finisher J. J. Stokes),[36] missed the beginning of the season with an injury to the same shoulder that had caused him to miss two games in 1993.[37] His return to the lineup on September 24, 1994, was overshadowed by The Miracle at Michigan. His senior season return to the 1994 Wolverines had been a surprise, but injuries allowed Tshimanga Biakabutuka and Ed Davis to get some playing time.[37][38] He only finished 12th in the Heisman balloting as a senior.[39] Nonetheless, he thought that his senior-year experience broadened his horizons.[1]

In college, Wheatley also competed in track and earned varsity letters in 1993–1995. In 1994, he was the Big Ten outdoor 110 metre hurdles champion, was selected first team All-Big Ten, and was a member of the men's indoor track and field team that won the indoor Big Ten team championship.[40] He placed eighth at the 1995 NCAA outdoor championships in the 110 meter hurdles, which earned him All-American honors.[41] At the end of his Michigan track career, he owned the third fastest indoor 60m time in Michigan history at 6.80 seconds as well as the second fastest outdoor 110 metre hurdles time at 13.77 seconds and third fastest outdoor 100 meters at 10.46 seconds.[42] Gradually, succeeding athletes have surpassed his times, and after the 2007 season the 110 meter hurdle time ranked fourth best and the 100 meter dash time was fifth.[41]

College statistics edit

Michigan Wolverines
Season GP Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
1991 10 86 548 6.4 9 10 90 9.0 0
1992 11 185 1,357 7.3 13 13 145 11.2 3
1993 10 207 1,129 5.5 13 14 152 10.9 1
1994 10 210 1,144 5.4 12 14 123 8.8 2
Total 41 688 4,187 6.1 47 51 510 10 6

Professional career edit

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)
232 lb
(105 kg)
32+78 in
(0.84 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.53 s 1.66 s 2.71 s 4.27 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)

New York Giants edit

Dan Reeves era (1995–1996) edit

Wheatley was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft with the seventeenth overall selection.[43] He held out for 17 days before signing a five-year contract with the team.[1] The terms included a $2.3 million signing bonus and escalating base salaries totaling over $2.9 million.[44] The negotiations were prolonged in part because of extensive family involvement.[45] Wheatley set no goals for himself and lived by his grandmother's motto on preparing oneself: "You can set your sails, but you can't set the wind".[1] The Giants viewed Wheatley as their running back of the future, since Rodney Hampton was in the final year of his contract.[46] Despite the original visions, Wheatley was used sparingly and started only eight games over the course of four seasons with the Giants.[47] Off the field, Wheatley moved his half-brother with him to New Jersey to keep him out of the tumultuous environment and to provide him a strong learning environment.[48]

In 1995 and 1996, under Dan Reeves the Giants had losing seasons and relied heavily on Rodney Hampton who received the bulk of the carries on rushing plays. In 1995, running back Herschel Walker received more passing downs and in 1996 fullback Charles Way was a main weapon.[49][50] Wheatley returned kickoffs for the 1995 and 1996, with 10 returns for 18.6 yards per return in 1995 and 23 returns for 21.9 yards per return in 1996.[51] While Hampton led the team in rushing with 827 yards to Wheatley's 400 yards in 1996, Wheatley's 503 return yards and 51 yards receiving gave him the team all-purpose yards leadership.[50] However, Wheatley had 6 fumbles on only 147 touches (112 rushes, 12 receptions, and 23 kickoff returns).[51]

The drafting of Wheatley had been hotly contested. Some Giant draft war-room personnel had wanted to select Korey Stringer and others had an interest in Rashaan Salaam when the Giants' selection came.[52] After Wheatley was selected with the seventeenth pick, running backs Napoleon Kaufman, James Stewart and Rashaan Salaam were chosen with the eighteenth, nineteenth and twenty-first selections, respectively. Reeves made it no secret that he would have selected Salaam over Wheatley in the draft.[6][53] Wheatley's introduction to the Giants was a contract squabble that kept him from getting to training camp on time.[54] Then, in rookie season training camp, he had the misfortune of pulling a hamstring while running sprints on the first day. Speculation had been that the injury had occurred in a stumble in a June track meet.[44] Reeves held the prompt injury against the running back he never wanted.[6][55] Wheatley later fell asleep in a meeting which drew a fine from Reeves. Although he only actually fell asleep in one meeting, he also had mental concentration issues in practice. He was not known for living erratically so his falling asleep and loss of concentration was enough of a problem that the Giants had Wheatley evaluated.[56] On top of this, Wheatley was fined several times for tardiness to team meetings.[53]

Jim Fassel era (1997–1998) edit

In 1997, by the end of training camp, Rodney Hampton's knees had given out, and although Wheatley had a great camp, Tiki Barber was named the starting tailback.[48] That season, Jim Fassel's first, the Giants went to the playoffs with a 10–5–1 record. Wheatley led the team in carries that season despite missing two games and shared the ballcarrying responsibilities with Way and Barber.[57] On October 12, Wheatley had his first 100-yard game with 102 yards on 22 carries against the Arizona Cardinals in a 27–13 victory on the road.[58][59] While Wheatley and Way divided the rushing load, Barber and Way divided most of the responsibility for the running backs' role in the passing attack, while Wheatley had less than half as many receptions and reception yards as either of them.[57] An ankle injury caused Wheatley to miss the final two regular season games and the wild card playoff game.[60][61]

By 1998, Wheatley was the only four-year veteran in the Giants backfield and although he developed another good relationship with an offensive coordinator, he was becoming accustomed to being described as an enigma.[2] The Giants fell to 8–8 while relying on Barber, Way and Gary Brown.[62] During the season, Wheatley often performed scout team duties and was inactive for some games. Fassel was not sympathetic to Wheatley's desire for playing time and thought that Wheatley was overweight.[6] Over the course of the season, there was controversy about a season long weight limit of 235 pounds (107 kg; 16 st 11 lb) that had been placed on Wheatley.[63][64] Wheatley's playing weight limit had been set at 230 pounds (104 kg; 16 st 6 lb) in training camp and had been raised to 235 on Wheatley's request.[63] He had played at 233 pounds (106 kg; 16 st 9 lb) in the final game of his college career.[17] By week 11, Wheatley had only dressed in five games and played in four and was relegated to a role as an alternate when he played.[65]

Wheatley thought he was treated unfairly in New York although two different coaching staffs had issues with him. He points out double standards that gave him bad feelings in retrospect. In situations where he was not the only Giant who was overweight or stuck in traffic, he was punished while others were not and those with worse problems such as showing up at practice drunk or being cited for D.U.I. were not vilified.[66] Wheatley had the responsibility of driving his brother, Leslie Mongo, to his school that opened at 8:15 and thought he was the victim of New Jersey traffic in relation to occasionally being late for 9:00 a.m. team meetings.[17] Charles Way, by contrast, Wheatley's closest friend on the team and roommate on the road, was nicknamed "Teacher's Pet."[48]

According to The New York Times, there was a misperception of Wheatley as a "cancer"[55] in the locker room by most accounts. Although he had some issues, his teammates remembered him for his personality and mannerly nature.[55] The general opinion of Wheatley was that he had enormous talent, but as a package he was an enigma. According to Michael Strahan, Wheatley "...could outrun the wide receivers, outlift the linemen and outdebate anyone."[56] Thus, his off-season workout pattern of sloughing the weights for discussion of politics and current affairs was troubling, but not challenged because he could outlift most.[56] However, in addition to the enigmatic issues, Wheatley had physical problems in New York. He was injured and unable to perform for parts of all four of the training camps.[54] After the 1998 season Wheatley was traded to Jimmy Johnson's Miami Dolphins.[53] In the February trade, the Giants were satisfied receiving a seventh round draft pick in return.[55]

Oakland Raiders edit

As a Raider, Wheatley had five 100-yard rushing games in home wins at the Oakland Coliseum (left) and two in losses against the Seattle Seahawks at the Kingdome (center) and Husky Stadium (right).

The Dolphins hoped that Wheatley would compete for the starting tailback position with Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar,[4] who had rushed for a league-leading 15 touchdowns in 1997 but whose production had fallen off to only 6 in 1998.[67] However, Wheatley was cut from the Miami Dolphins training camp roster.[47] He had only gone through one week of Dolphins training camp before being released, making him available to the Raiders. The Raiders signed Wheatley on August 4, 1999, to help make up for the loss of Zack Crockett who suffered a broken foot.[68] Ironically, Wheatley, the seventeenth overall selection in the 1995 NFL Draft, earned his 1999 roster spot in a battle with Rashaan Salaam, the twenty-first overall selection in the 1995 NFL Draft, who had been Dan Reeves' preferred draft choice in 1995.[68] Wheatley was paired in the Raiders backfield with Napoleon Kaufman, the eighteenth overall selection in the 1995 NFL Draft.[69]

While in Oakland, Wheatley would achieve much greater success than he had in New York. Wheatley rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, led the Raiders in rushing three times, appeared in three consecutive playoffs (including one Super Bowl) and finished in the top-10 in the NFL for rushing touchdowns twice. Through the 2007 NFL season, Wheatley was the seventh leading rusher in Oakland Raider history with 3,682 yards as a Raider.[70] In his role as a Raider, Wheatley was able to contribute to some of the greatest memories in the history of the franchise.[71][72] Seven of his eight career 100-yard rushing games came as a Raider.[58] Five of these games were at the Oakland Coliseum and two were on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.[58] None of these games came in the playoffs where his highest rushing total was 56 yards.[73]

Jon Gruden era (1999–2001) edit

 
Jon Gruden's west coast offense brought out the best in veterans like Wheatley.

How well Wheatley complemented Napoleon Kaufman in Oakland was quickly evident to the New York media, and his newfound success was noticed when the Giants had an impotent running game in his absence.[55] In his early years with the Raiders, Wheatley quickly made good on the promise of his potential with a combination of the power to run inside and the speed to run outside. Wheatley was quite popular in Oakland. The players liked him and his coach, Jon Gruden, even joked with him during his interviews.[53]

On the field, Wheatley became an important part of a surprisingly efficient West Coast offense run by Jon Gruden.[55] In 1999, Wheatley was the Raiders' leading rusher and their only running back to have more than one touchdown reception.[74] For the first time, Wheatley had multiple 100-yard games in the same season:[58] 100 yards on 20 rushes on October 3 against the Seattle Seahawks and 111 yards on 19 rushes on December 19 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[75][76] The players gelled as a unit and not only did Wheatley have his best seasons in Oakland, but also long time NFL veterans on the Raiders amassed their best season upon his arrival. For example, Rich Gannon, an NFL veteran quarterback since 1987, made his first four Pro Bowl appearances with Wheatley as a weapon. The team only compiled an 8–8 record, however.

Wheatley had the best season of his career in the 2000 as the Raiders went 12–4 and reached the American Football Conference championship game of the 2000–01 NFL playoffs. Wheatley amassed 1,046 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns on 232 carries and added 20 receptions for 156 yards.[77] Wheatley combined effectively with Kaufman to form an inside and outside attacking combination in these first two years.[78] Wheatley's 4.5 yards per carry ranked ninth in the NFL.[79] Not only did Wheatley amass a career-high three 100-yard rushing games that season, but he also had his three highest career single-game performances:[58] 156 yards on only 15 carries on October 22 at home against the Seattle Seahawks, 146 yards on December 16 at Seattle and 112 yards on November 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 100-yard performances against Seattle were his second and third in his first four games against them as a Raider.[80][81][82] In the playoffs, Wheatley only posted a total of 63 yards rushing on 31 carries and one reception for four yards in two home playoff games. On January 6, 2001, Wheatley posted what would turn out to be his career (seven career games) playoff high 56 yards rushing and his only playoff touchdown.[83] In the January 14 conference championship against the Baltimore Ravens he only rushed for 7 yards on 12 carries.[84]

In 2001, with the arrival of Jerry Rice and Charlie Garner, the offense focused on the passing game, running five more pass attempts per game than the year before.[85] The team produced two 1,000-yard receivers with Rice amassing 1,139 yards and Tim Brown totaling 1,165 yards. Garner led the team in rushing and accumulated 72 receptions. Meanwhile, Wheatley only started three games and accumulated only 12 receptions over the course of the season. For the first time as a Raider, Wheatley went an entire season without a 100-yard rushing game.[58] The team went 10–6 and returned to the 2001–02 NFL playoffs, but Wheatley only had 88 carries during the regular season despite tying Zack Crockett for the running back leadership with 6 touchdowns.[86] In the first round wild card game, Wheatley posted his second highest playoff total of 37 yards.[87] In Wheatley's first and only career road playoff game, he only posted five yards rushing on four carries.[88]

Bill Callahan era (2002–2003) edit

Under new coach Bill Callahan, the 2002 Raiders became more reliant on Garner as the primary running back. Again, Rice and Brown were primary targets for Gannon who, while having his best season with 4,689 yards, did not use Wheatley as a receiver as much as other players. Wheatley had more carries than in 2001, but did not start a single game and did not see the end zone often. Again, Wheatley went an entire season without a 100-yard rushing game.[58] However, as a role player he was able to play in three 2002–03 playoff games including the 2003 Super Bowl against former coach Gruden.[73] As in his previous seasons, Wheatley posted his best playoff numbers in his first game, this time 30 yards on only four carries.[89] A week later on January 19, 2003, Wheatley had his final post-season carry, a 5-yard run on his only carry of the game.[90] In Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, Wheatley's only touch came on a seven-yard reception.[91] Although the Raiders did not win the Super Bowl, Tyrone Wheatley was re-signed.[92]

In 2003, Wheatley reclaimed his role as the Raiders' leading rusher although Garner, the second leading rusher, continued to be the target of more passes and Crockett made it to the end zone as a rusher as often as Wheatley and Garner combined. Wheatley became the sixth person to lead the Raiders franchise in rushing yards three times (Clem Daniels, Marv Hubbard, Mark van Eeghen, Marcus Allen, Napoleon Kaufman).[93] The 2003 Raiders fell to 4–12 and had no 1,000-yard receivers or runners.[94] Wheatley's only 100-yard rushing game came on November 16 at home against the Minnesota Vikings.[58][95]

Wheatley's name and those of several of his teammates were found on the list of clients of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) that had given performance-enhancing drugs to Marion Jones and others. As a result, he, and teammates Chris Hetherington, Dana Stubblefield, and Chris Cooper were called to testify before a 2003 federal grand jury investigating a laboratory that produces nutritional supplements. Johnnie Morton was called before the same jury. Wheatley, Stubblefield, and Morton all declined to comment.[96] This court appearance in the BALCO hearings was notable for Wheatley's assault of a freelance photographer who attempted to take Wheatley's photo outside the Philip Burton Federal Building just after Wheatley had informed the KNTV cameraman that he would sue anyone who took his picture.[97]

Norv Turner era (2004) edit

Although Wheatley's 2003 performance had been modest compared with the other seasons that he led the Raiders in rushing (1999, 2000), it was sufficient to convince the Raiders that they did not need to re-sign the pass catching running back Charlie Garner for the 2004 season with the new coach Norv Turner.[98] The 2004 Raiders used a platoon of five runners (Wheatley, Crockett, Justin Fargas, J. R. Redmond and Amos Zereoué) who all rushed for between 100 and 500 yards and caught between 10 and 40 passes.[99] Wheatley compiled his final 100-yard rushing game on September 26 in week 3 of the season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 102 yards on 18 carries.[100] This was the earliest point in the season Wheatley had rushed for 100 yards in a game as a professional.[58] Wheatley's career ended in week 12 of the season on November 28, 2004, in a 25–24 win over the Denver Broncos with an injury that was first described as an injured hamstring.[101] The hamstring tear turned out to be acute.[102] Wheatley had been under contract until 2009 with a 2005 base salary of $800,000 and a 2006 base salary of $2 million.[103]

Coaching career edit

Unable to adequately rehabilitate his hamstring, Wheatley retired from the NFL and returned to Ann Arbor, Michigan. At the University of Michigan, in 2005, he volunteered as a track coach while finishing his bachelor's degree in sport management.[102] In November 2006, Wheatley was hired at his alma mater, Robichaud High School, as the track coach.[102] After taking Robichaud to their first conference title he was also hired as the football coach. To prepare for his coaching duties he partook in Jon Gruden's NFL minority coaching internship by working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an NFL Minority coaching fellow during the 2006 training camp.[104][105] As football coach in 2007, Wheatley started with a 6–1 record before facing the team's rival, the undefeated Inkster High School. Despite losing on the field to Inkster,[106] the team was credited with a forfeit victory and compiled an 8–1 regular season record.[107] The team achieved its first berth in 13 years in the MHSAA Class B playoffs, one year after going 0–9.[108] The team won its first round playoff match against Dearborn Heights Annapolis High School and lost its second to Milan High School to finish with a 9–2 record.[109] The team last won the MHSAA title in 1990 during Wheatley's senior season with a 12–1 record. During Wheatley's absence the team was a state semifinalist in 1991 with a 10–2 record and made a playoff appearance in 1994.[9] In addition to coaching, Wheatley has worked as an athletic trainer to about 30 clients.[102]

In 2008, he joined John Fontes coaching staff as an assistant coach for Team Michigan in the All American Football League. He was to serve as the running backs coach for the team in the league that planned to begin play in April 2008.[110] However, the league never materialized. Wheatley interned as an NFL Minority coaching fellow with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the summer of 2008 training camp.[111] He also served at the Rising Stars Football Camp as an assistant instructor.[112] In late August 2008, he became the assistant coach at Ohio Northern University, with responsibility for the team's running backs.[104] After the end of Wheatley's coaching internship at the conclusion of the season, he was hired by Ron English as a running backs coach at Eastern Michigan University for the 2009 season.[113]

In February 2010, he was hired to replace Roger Harriott on Doug Marrone's staff at Syracuse University.[112][114] In 2013, he left Syracuse, along with Marrone, to join the Buffalo Bills, Wheatley's first NFL coaching position.[115]

In 2015, Tyrone decided to return to his alma mater and coach the running backs at the University of Michigan on the staff for the new Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.[116][117]

In January 2017, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Wheatley as running backs coach to rejoin Marrone, who was hired as Jaguars' head coach.[118] Wheatley along with several other assistant coaches and coordinators were fired by Marrone and the Jaguars after the 2018 season.[119] On February 6, 2019, Wheatley was named head coach of Morgan State Bears football.[120]

Following the 2021 season, Wheatley rejoined the NFL coaching ranks as the running backs coach for new Denver Broncos head coach, Nathaniel Hackett.[121]

Wheatley was named head football coach at Wayne State University in Detroit on January 26, 2023.

Personal life edit

In addition to his guardianships, Wheatley and Kimberly have three sons and two daughters as of February 2010.[112] Wheatley and his wife Kimberly, had their first child, Tyrone Jr., in 1997, and their second in late 1998.[2] In 2012, Wheatley was selected for induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.[122]

On February 4, 2015, Tyrone Jr. (known as TJ)[123] signed the National Letter of Intent to play football for his father's alma mater, Michigan.[124] Prior to Michigan's hiring of Jim Harbaugh as coach and Wheatley on his staff, TJ had been deciding between UCLA, USC, Alabama, and Oregon.[123]

On December 11, 2016, Tyrone's son, Terius committed to play football for the Virginia Tech Hokies, joining the 2017 signing class, after spending a year at Fork Union Military Academy.[125]

NFL career statistics edit

Year Team GP Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
1995 NYG 13 78 245 3.1 3 5 27 5.4 0
1996 NYG 14 112 400 3.6 1 12 51 4.2 2
1997 NYG 14 152 583 3.8 4 16 140 8.8 0
1998 NYG 4 14 52 3.7 0 0 0 0.0 0
1999 OAK 16 242 936 3.9 8 21 196 9.3 3
2000 OAK 14 232 1,046 4.5 9 20 156 7.8 1
2001 OAK 12 88 276 3.1 5 12 61 5.1 1
2002 OAK 14 108 429 3.9 2 12 71 5.9 0
2003 OAK 15 159 678 4.3 4 12 120 10.0 0
2004 OAK 8 85 327 3.8 4 15 78 5.2 0
Career 124 1,270 4,962 3.9 40 125 900 7.2 7

Head coaching record edit

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Morgan State Bears (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (2019–2021)
2019 Morgan State 3–9 2–6 T–7th
2020 No team
2021 Morgan State 2–9 1–4 6th
Morgan State: 5–18 3–10
Wayne State Warriors (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (2023–present)
2023 Wayne State 3–8 2–4 5th
2024 Wayne State 0–0 0–0
Wayne State: 3–8 2–4
Total: 8–26

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rhoden, William C. (August 19, 1995). "Sports of The Times; Set Sails Can't Control The Wind". New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pennington, Bill (July 6, 1998). "Pro Football; The Two Sides of the Giants' Biggest Enigma". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "2004 Utah State Football Signees (as of 10:15 a.m.)". utahstateaggies.cstv.com. February 4, 2004. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Marvez, Alex (July 19, 1999). "Miami hopes Wheatley won't be giant mistake". Stars and Stripes Timeout. p. 11.
  5. ^ "MHSAA Football Records". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d Freeman, Mike (October 24, 1999). "Pro Football: Notebook; Far From Fassel, Wheatley Finds His Niche". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  7. ^ "Football Champions 1975–2006". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  8. ^ Pesch, Ron. "Finals Flashbacks" (PDF). Michigan High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c d e Markowski, Tom (August 7, 2007). "Star in charge; Wheatley takes reins at Robichaud". Detroit News. p. D.1.
  10. ^ Richter, Don (August 4, 2005). "State finals and big shoulder pads". The Chelsea Standard. Heritage Newspapers. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  11. ^ "Michigan High School Track & Cross Country: Michigan High School Athletes of the Year". Michtrack.org. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  12. ^ "Boys Track and Field Individual Champions -- 1990-1999". mhsaa.com. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  13. ^ McCabe, Mick (January 26, 2007). "Welcome home, Coach Wheatley". Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "MHSAA Record Book". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  15. ^ "Boys Track & Field Records". Michigan High School Athletic Association. Archived from the original on December 8, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  16. ^ "Boys Track & Field Records: Final Meet Records By Class/Division". Michigan High School Athletic Association. 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  17. ^ a b c Freeman, Mike (December 15, 1996). "Wheatley's Problems With Giants Did Not Start at Michigan". New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ^ a b "College Football; Fame Bowl Becomes Wheatley Showcase". New York Times. January 2, 1994. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ "Bentley Historical Library -- -- U of M Football Rosters". The Regents of the University of Michigan. August 25, 2003. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  20. ^ a b Jones, Todd (2007). "Michigan". In MacCambridge, Michael (ed.). ESPN Big Ten College Football Encyclopedia. ESPN Enterprises. ISBN 978-1-933060-49-1.
  21. ^ a b c d "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". Regents of the University of Michigan. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  22. ^ "Big Ten Football: Individual Records (All Games)" (PDF). The Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  23. ^ "Big Ten Football: Annual Statistical Champions - Individual" (PDF). The Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  24. ^ O'Sullivan, Dan (December 13, 2002). "1993 - Michigan 38, Washington 31". ESPN Internet Group. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  25. ^ "Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player Award (MVP)". Los Angeles Almanac. Given Place Publishing Co. 2006. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  26. ^ "Michigan's Bowl Game History: 1993 Rose Bowl". Bentley Historical Library. The Regents of the University of Michigan. April 10, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  27. ^ a b "Record Book (through 2006)" (PDF). University of Michigan & Host Interactive. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 27, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  28. ^ "University of Michigan Athletics History: 1992 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. April 9, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  29. ^ "University of Michigan Athletics History: 1993 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. April 9, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  30. ^ "University of Michigan Athletics History: 1994 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. April 9, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  31. ^ "Big Ten Football: All-Time All-Big Ten" (PDF). The Big Ten Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  32. ^ "1993 - 59TH Award: Charlie Ward, Florida State Back". Heisman.com. CSTV.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  33. ^ Berkow, Ira (November 12, 1993). "College Football; LeShon Johnson's Land Rush of 1993". New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
  34. ^ "Sports People: Football; Bam Morris Honored". New York Times. December 8, 1993. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
  35. ^ "Pro Football; Palmer and Bostic Decide to Turn Pro; Wheatley Stays in College". New York Times. January 11, 1994. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  36. ^ Moran, Malcolm (September 22, 1994). "On College Football; At Michigan, a Return Fraught With Risk". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  37. ^ a b "Football; Wheatley Separates Shoulder". New York Times. August 25, 1994. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  38. ^ Moran, Malcolm (September 21, 1994). "College Football; Wheatley Nearing Return for Michigan". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  39. ^ Offen, Stephanie (January 8, 2001). "By staying at Michigan, Henson true to word". The Michigan Daily. Archived from the original on October 22, 2004. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  40. ^ "Big Ten Conference Records Book 2007–08: Men's Track and Field". Big Ten Conference, Inc. 2007. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  41. ^ a b Hergott, Jeremiah, ed. (2008). Two Thousand Eight Michigan Men's Track & Field. Frye Printing Company.
  42. ^ Note that Wheatley's 60 meter times are actually converted from 55 meter times.
  43. ^ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  44. ^ a b Freeman, Mike (August 10, 1995). "Pro Football; A Painfully Slow Start For Wheatley With Giants". New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
  45. ^ Freeman, Mike (August 9, 1995). "Pro Football; Wheatley Signs: 5 Years and $5.2 Million". New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  46. ^ Freeman, Mike (August 11, 1995). "Pro Football; Hampton Is Still The Man For Giants". New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  47. ^ a b "Pro Football; Dolphins Cut Wheatley in First Week of Camp". New York Times. August 4, 1999. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  48. ^ a b c Pennington, Bill (February 13, 1999). "Pro Football; Wheatley and Giants Never Gained Ground". New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  49. ^ "New York Giants (1995)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  50. ^ a b "New York Giants (1996)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  51. ^ a b "Tyrone Wheatley". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  52. ^ Freeman, Mike (April 25, 1995). "Pro Football; On a Successful Draft Day, the Giants' Staff Turns Chaos Into Science". New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
  53. ^ a b c d Freeman, Mike (December 8, 2000). "Pro Football; A Content Wheatley Runs Up Big Numbers". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  54. ^ a b Pennington, Bill (July 31, 1998). "Pro Football; Broken Record: Wheatley is Hurt". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  55. ^ a b c d e f Freeman, Mike (October 19, 1999). "On Pro Football; The Giants Could Use Wheatley's Skills Now". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  56. ^ a b c Pennington, Bill (November 23, 2001). "Football; Former Mystery Giant Has Thrived in Oakland". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  57. ^ a b "New York Giants (1997)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  58. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tyrone Wheatley (big games)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  59. ^ "New York Giants vs. Arizona". USA Today. October 12, 1997. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  60. ^ Litsky, Frank (December 26, 1997). "Pro Football: Notebook; Giants' Backs Continue Rotation". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  61. ^ "New York Giants (1997 Postseason)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  62. ^ "New York Giants (1998)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  63. ^ a b Pennington, Bill (September 17, 1998). "Pro Football; Weight Problem Is the Reason Wheatley Remains Sidelined for Giants". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  64. ^ Pennington, Bill (September 20, 1998). "Pro Football; Wheatley Is In Under the Scale". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  65. ^ Pennington, Bill (November 14, 1998). "Football: Giants Notebook; For Wheatley, a Kickoff Cameo?". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  66. ^ Freeman, Mike (October 29, 2000). "Pro Football: Notebook; Running Backs Thriving as Reclamation Projects". New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  67. ^ "All-Time Players: Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
  68. ^ a b Weinstein, Brad (August 16, 1999). "Wheatley Takes Step To Help His Cause Rugged running back impresses Gruden". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  69. ^ Freeman, Mike (August 1, 1995). "Pro Football; Wheatley Close to Deal, but Gragg Out". New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
  70. ^ "Career Leaders". The Oakland Raiders. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  71. ^ "Greatest Moments: Raiders Shock Colts in Indianapolis 38-31". The Oakland Raiders. September 10, 2000. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  72. ^ "Greatest Moments: Raiders End Chiefs Jinx in Overtime 'Instant Classic'". The Oakland Raiders. January 2, 2000. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  73. ^ a b "Tyrone Wheatley (playoffs)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  74. ^ "Oakland Raiders (1999)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  75. ^ "Oakland vs. Seattle". USA Today. October 4, 1999. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  76. ^ "Oakland 45, Tampa Bay 0". United Press International. December 19, 1999. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  77. ^ "Oakland Raiders (2000)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  78. ^ Blackman, Frank (September 17, 2000). "Wheatley's hit man for inside jobs: Raiders back finally at home after stops in New York, Miami". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  79. ^ "Tyrone Wheatley". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  80. ^ "Seattle 3, Oakland 31". USA Today. October 22, 2000. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  81. ^ "Oakland 24, Seattle 27". USA Today. December 16, 2000. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  82. ^ "Kansas City 31, Oakland 49". USA Today. November 5, 2000. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  83. ^ "Miami 0, Oakland 27". USA Today. January 6, 2001. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  84. ^ "Baltimore 16, Oakland 3". USA Today. January 14, 2001. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  85. ^ Smith Michelle (October 19, 2001). "Wheatley's status still a mystery". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  86. ^ "Oakland Raiders (2001)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  87. ^ "New York Jets 24, Oakland 38". USA Today. January 13, 2002. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  88. ^ "Oakland 13, New England 16". USA Today. January 20, 2002. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  89. ^ "Oakland 30, N.Y. Jets 10". USA Today. January 12, 2003. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  90. ^ "Oakland 41, Tennessee 24". USA Today. January 20, 2003. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  91. ^ "Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21". USA Today. January 27, 2003. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  92. ^ "PLUS: Pro Football;Wheatley Resigns". New York Times. March 25, 2003. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  93. ^ "Oakland Raiders Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  94. ^ "Oakland Raiders (2003)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  95. ^ "Minnesota 18, Oakland 28". ESPN Internet Ventures. November 16, 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  96. ^ "A Photographer Says Wheatley Hit Him Outside Courthouse". New York Times. November 14, 2003. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  97. ^ Crumpacker, John and Ron Kroichick (November 14, 2003). "Wheatley's photo op goes over the top Grapple with photographer overshadows BALCO testimony". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  98. ^ "AFC West". Sporting News. September 20, 2004. p. 38.
  99. ^ "Oakland Raiders (2004)". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  100. ^ "Tampa Bay 20, Oakland 30". ESPN Internet Ventures. September 26, 2004. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  101. ^ "Collins connects with Porter on three TDs". ESPN Internet Ventures. November 28, 2004. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  102. ^ a b c d Donnelly, Mike (December 6, 2006). "Tyrone Wheatley - Back Where It All Began". PLAYERS INC. Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
  103. ^ Gay, Nancy (December 2, 2004). "Torn hamstring shelves Wheatley". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  104. ^ a b Glon, Tim (August 25, 2008). "Former NFL star Tyrone Wheatley named assistant football coach at Ohio Northern". Ohio Northern University. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
  105. ^ "Fellowship Among Coaches". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. July 19, 2006. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
  106. ^ "Inkster vs. Robichaud". CBS MaxPreps, Inc. October 13, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2007.
  107. ^ "MHSAA Individual School Playoff Points: Dearborn Heights Robichaud". Michigan High School Athletic Association. October 23, 2007. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  108. ^ Halley, Jim (October 12, 2007). "Wheatley learns alongside kids". USA Today. p. 11C. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  109. ^ "Saturday's high school football box score". High School Sports Extra by the Ann Arbor News. mlive.com. November 3, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
  110. ^ "The All-American Football League's Team Michigan to Host Inaugural Draft Day Event at Ann Arbor Marriott in Ypsilanti January 26". Tell Us Detroit. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  111. ^ Jon Burton and Guy Junker (August 18, 2008). "Steelers Training Camp Notebook: Team Breaks Camp In Latrobe: Pittsburgh Steelers Practice At St. Vincent College (August 4)". Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2008.
  112. ^ a b c "NFL Veteran Tyrone Wheatley Joins Orange Football Coaching Staff". Syracuse University. February 9, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  113. ^ Ryan, Kevin (January 15, 2009). "Tyrone Wheatley among assistant football coaches added to Ron English's staff at Eastern Michigan". The Ann Arbor News. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  114. ^ Bennett, Brian (February 9, 2010). "Syracuse hires Wheatley as running backs coach". ESPN. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  115. ^ "Bills add 10 to coaching staff". Buffalo Bills. January 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  116. ^ "Tyrone Wheatley". MGoBlue. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  117. ^ Hinnen, Jerry (January 17, 2015). "Tyrone Wheatley newest addition to Harbaugh staff at Michigan". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  118. ^ "Jaguars hire Tyrone Wheatley as running backs coach". Associated Press. January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  119. ^ Long, Mark (December 31, 2018). "Jaguars fire Wheatley, 3 more assistants". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  120. ^ "Former NFL running back Tyrone Wheatley officially named Morgan State football coach". Baltimore Sun. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  121. ^ Samuels, Doug (February 12, 2022). "Morgan State head coach Tyrone Wheatley reportedly leaving for NFL". footballscoop.com. Football Scoop. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  122. ^ "Kimball, Wheatley Chosen for Michigan Sports Hall of Fame". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  123. ^ a b McShea, Keith (February 4, 2015). "#PrepTalkLive from National Signing Day: Wheatley picks MICHIGAN". Buffalo News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  124. ^ Huguenin, Mike (February 4, 2015). "Jon Runyan Jr., Tyrone Wheatley Jr. sign with Michigan". NFL.com. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  125. ^ Bitter, Andy (December 11, 2016). "Terius Wheatley, son of Michigan great Tyrone, commits to Hokies". roanoke.com. Retrieved December 11, 2016.

External links edit