coaching changes
tyrone wheatley

Exit: Tyrone Wheatley Sr Comment Count

Seth

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[Eric Upchurch]

Michigan needs to fill another offensive coaching position. Per multiple reports Tyrone Wheatley Sr. has accepted the Jaguars running backs coach job—yes the one where he gets to spend all day with Denard Robinson ahh now you understand! Here’s Rapoport, who had it earlier than most:

Wheatley coached with new Jags HC Doug Marrone at Syracuse and followed Marrone to the NFL’s Bills in 2013 and 2014. When Marrone parted ways with Buffalo Michigan scooped up their old running back star, signing Wheatley to a two-year contract. It was assumed at the time that Wheatley would leave after that if a better job came along.

Returning to the League probably does help Ty move forward with his career, since it’s been no secret that Wheatley would like to eventually run a unit or a team. If running backs coach for Jacksonville’s NFL team seems like a lateral move to Michigan fans, it’s probably not as much to NFL GMs. With no OC signed as of yet, it’s also possible Wheatley could be more involved in the offense there than he was at Michigan.

One of Michigan’s best recruiters (he departs ranked 7th nationally on the 247 recruiter rankings) and a living legend in his own right from his playing days, it’s a loss for Michigan, if not an entirely unexpected one: Wheatley was recently interviewing for the Western Michigan head coaching job. For many reasons—former Michigan star, Denard, expanding Harbaugh coaching tree, universally acknowledged good person—we wish him the greatest success.

Running backs coach is reputedly easier to replace that most positions, though recent experience in Ann Arbor demonstrates the importance of a good one. Mike Hart, who’s served as running backs coach at EMU and WMU and is currently in that role at Syracuse could be one candidate. Thomas Wilcher, the longtime head coach of Cass Tech, is also available. Harbaugh might even look at someone who isn’t a former Michigan running back. His track record says whoever it is will be good.

Comments

The FannMan

January 16th, 2017 at 8:45 PM ^

Good luck Tyrone. Loved watching him play, loved that he stayed for his senior year and loved that he gave us two years before heading back to the League.

When you hire great people, they will get offers. Some will leave. The key is to replace them with more great people and never burn a bridge. I expect Harbaugh to do both and 1) we get a great replacement and 2) Wheatley Sr. comes back one day as OC maybe HC.



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SD Larry

January 16th, 2017 at 8:48 PM ^

time greats in Michigan football.  Was great having you on the staff and you will be sorely missed.   Appreciate all that you have done as a player and a coach for Michigan football. 

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Goblueman

January 16th, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^

I went out to Calf. in Dec of 1992 for the birth of my first grandchild,born on Dec 22nd.I was rushed to the Hospital on Christmas Eve with a respiatory issue and was in attendance for Wheatley's incredible performance in that game.It was by far the best vacation I ever had.Thanks to Coach Wheatley and best of luck.

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tzwolverine

January 16th, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^

Recent history, Don Brown & Pep Hamilton, shows JH will not only replace TW, but he will bring in an outstanding replacement that will equal or upgrade what we had in Wheat6. I, for  one, am grateful that he came back to UM to help JH get this program back rolling in the right direction. He signed a 2 year deal, he fulfilled his obligation, and I'm sure he is leaving on good terms. That is evident, or JH would not have sent him to do an in home with Nico just a couple days ago.

Let's all thank Wheat6 for his contributions both as a player, coach and for helping deliver his son to UM as well.

Good Luck, turn Denard into an outstanding RB in  the league next year.

Go Blue!!

 

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Gobgoblue

January 16th, 2017 at 11:17 PM ^

people who (rightly) said this wouldn't be a lateral move, but a step up, are correct.  It's the freaking NFL here.  Michigan's hires/extensions/HC pretty much wrapped up the OC position for us, so Wheatley would have to leave to get one of those.  Or, jump back to the league build a stronger resume faster. 

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StephenRKass

January 16th, 2017 at 9:20 PM ^

I am happy for Wheatley. I lived out in San Gabriel in '92 and '93, and loved going to the Rose Bowl that year. Great memories. I trust there will be a good replacement.

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Michigan4Harbaugh

January 16th, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^

This sucks for Michigan. Big-time. Excellent coach and recruiter. All the best to #6. Wonder if he will have Red Robin and coffee on the way out of town?

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JFW

January 16th, 2017 at 9:36 PM ^

I was there the same years as Wheatley. I wish him all the best but there was something very cool for me to have him back in Ann Arbor, so I will miss him.



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JMK

January 16th, 2017 at 11:05 PM ^

I lived in his room the year after he moved out.  For all you old folks, remember how the phone numbers used to stay with the room?  On occasion we'd get a call for him.  I am sad that he has moved on again; it was awesome while it lasted.

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Wolfman

January 16th, 2017 at 9:39 PM ^

with the "make that 6" in his gif, but while he was playing and I think I picked it up at Michigan Stadium, but when watching him I just referred to him as  Initially I did think this was a lateral move inasmuch as you are going from RB coach to RB coach. However, actually having an off season has to loom large and its obvious he and his former, now current boss again had a great relationship or he wouldn't return to the same position. May even be incentives and room for advancement as part of the lure. 

In any event, nothing but positives to say about your entire career, being among the best eve r while at UM, your hard work and ambassador for the school while here, as evidenced by your tremendous success in recruiting. Good luck to you, Mr. 6, and hope your professional goals are realized in short order. 

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1VaBlue1

January 16th, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^

Well, this sucks.  But good luck, coach!  You gotta watch out for yourself, because nobody else will.  He'll be fine, and UM will continue its rebound without him.  Just another chance for Harbaugh to grow his tree and show the promise of finding someone new.

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M-Dog

January 16th, 2017 at 11:34 PM ^

Michigan assistant coaches are becoming like Michigan 5-star players . . . enjoy them while you have them because in 3 years they will be leaving to move up to the next level.

This is actually a good thing . . . it's the sign of an elite program.

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StayThirsty85

January 16th, 2017 at 10:05 PM ^

...there was just something about having him as one of the re-builders of JH's program that felt so comforting and powerful.  I also thought it was so cool that he got to work with his son every day in practice and on the sideline.

But, he's obviously a driven man and sees this as his next step up and forward in a lifetime of accomplishment, so Godspeed Mr. Wheatley; selfishly, I can't wait to see you back again at Michigan down the road.

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You Only Live Twice

January 16th, 2017 at 10:04 PM ^

I knew the Harbaugh coaching tree would be spreading its branches but damn I hoped we would have one of our best recruiters, for a couple more seasons.  It wasn't meant to be!

Best wishes to one of our all time greats in his new role.  He'll be an NFL HC one day.

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