BALTIMORE, Md. — Morgan State University Director of Athletics Edward Scott has announced the hiring of Tyrone Wheatley as its 22nd head football coach, effective Feb. 21, 2019. Wheatley brings an extensive coaching résumé to Morgan State and has experienced tremendous success, both as a player and as a coach, at the professional and collegiate levels.
Wheatley comes to the Bears after serving the last two seasons under head coach Doug Marrone as the running backs coach for the National Football League’s (NFL) Jacksonville Jaguars. Wheatley also worked with Marrone at Syracuse University from 2010-12, and then with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills from 2013-14.
As a college assistant coach, Wheatley was one of Michigan’s best recruiters and ranked No. 6 nationally on 247Sports “recruiter rankings.”
“We are thrilled to bring a person and football coach of Tyrone Wheatley’s caliber to Morgan State,” Scott said. “Tyrone is an outstanding recruiter and understands the game of football at every level, both as a player and a coach. We are confident Tyrone can build broad support and engagement in our program while continuing to advance our football program in the classroom and on the playing field.”
“It is with great pleasure and honor that I accept the head coaching position at Morgan State University. I would like to thank President David Wilson and Mr. Scott for this incredible opportunity,” Wheatley said. “I consider it a privilege to lead the young men of Morgan State using football as a vehicle to implement a continuation of development, mentorship, and productivity beyond the field and when their playing days are over. I can’t wait to become united with the city of Baltimore and become woven in the fabric of the community.”
The university will host a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. in the University Student Center to officially introduce Wheatley as Morgan’s new head football coach. The press conference will also be live streamed via the university’s main and athletic websites.
Wheatley finished his Michigan football playing career as the program’s second-leading rusher (now fifth). He was the Big Ten’s “Offensive Player of the Year” in 1992, and also earned All-America honors in the 110-meter hurdles as a track athlete in 1995. He enjoyed a 10-year career in the NFL before starting his coaching career.
Prior to coaching in the NFL, Wheatley spent five seasons in the collegiate ranks. From 2010-12, he coached running backs at Syracuse, and while with the Orange, he coached Delone Carter to a 1,000-yard season in 2010 and a second-team All-Big East selection.
He also helped Syracuse win two Pinstripe Bowls during his tenure (2010, 2012).
Wheatley spent one year each at Eastern Michigan (2009) and Ohio Northern (2008) as the running backs coach. At EMU, he also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
Wheatley got his start in coaching at his high school alma mater, Robichaud located in Dearborn Heights, Mich., in 2007. He took a team that had gone 0-9 before his arrival and led it to a 9-2 record and appearance in the state playoffs. He also coached track & field.
Shortly after retiring from the NFL, Wheatley held two appointments as a Minority Coaching Fellow in the league, first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006) and then with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2008). While completing his degree at Michigan in kinesiology, Wheatley served as a volunteer assistant with the Michigan track & field program (2005-06).
Wheatley played 10 seasons in the NFL after being selected 17th overall by the New York Giants in 1995. He played in New York through the 1998 season before joining the Oakland Raiders. Wheatley played with the Raiders from 1999-2004, and appeared in the 2003 Super Bowl. During his playing career, he amassed 6,562 all-purpose yards as a running back and kick returner, and he scored 47 touchdowns.
Wheatley had a distinguished career in the Michigan backfield from 1991-94, including three straight All-Big Ten selections (1992-94). As a sophomore in 1992 he won the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year award and capped that season with a 235-yard game in the Rose Bowl, earning him the game’s MVP award. He rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding three receiving TDs and one on a kickoff.
He would break the 1,000-barrier in both his junior and senior seasons as well, totaling 1,129 and 1,144, respectively. Wheatley finished his Michigan career with 4,187 rushing yards, 510 receiving yards and 53 total touchdowns.
He also had a standout track and field career in the Maize and Blue winning three letters (1993-95). He earned an All-America citation for his eighth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1995 NCAA Championships. He won the Big Ten’s Outdoor title in the 110-meter hurdles in 1994. Wheatley still owns top-five times in Michigan history in the 100-meter dash (5th) and 110-meter hurdles (4th).
A native of Inkster, Michigan, Wheatley earned his bachelor’s degree in 2008 from the University of Michigan. He and his wife Kimberly have five children: Tyrone, Jr., Terius, Tyrique, Tiana and Tamari.
He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Courtesy: MSU Athletics
