Tyrone Wheatley Named Illinois Running Backs Coach

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tyrone Wheatley, a former 10-year NFL running back with 18 years of coaching experience, was named Illinois' running backs coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Wheatley's extensive resume includes NFL running backs coach jobs with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos, and at Power-4 programs Syracuse and Michigan. 

"Coach Wheatley is an accomplished coach with proven success in both the NFL and college football," said Bielema. "Our program will benefit immediately from his experience as a running backs coach and head coach. He has been an outstanding player and coach in the Big Ten and has developed some of the top running backs in football. We are excited to welcome Coach Wheatley to Champaign."

"I want to sincerely thank Coach Bielema for his trust, belief, and invitation to join his staff," said Wheatley. "Coach Bielema has built a culture defined by toughness, discipline, and accountability. To coach under a leader with his experience, vision, and championship pedigree is an absolute honor. To the Illini community, alumni, players, and fans, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to getting to work."

One of the all-time great athletes in Michigan history, Wheatley has carried his on-field excellence into a successful coaching career, specifically in developing running backs. His long list of running backs mentored includes Leonard Fournette (Jaguars), Latavius Murray (Broncos), Melvin Gordon (Broncos), C.J. Spiller (Bills), and Fred Jackson (Bills).

Wheatley most recently served as the head coach at Division II Wayne State in his home state from 2023-25. He also held the head coaching position at Morgan State from 2019-21, with a stint as the running backs coach for the Denver Broncos in 2022 between head coaching jobs. 

Prior to taking over at Morgan State, Wheatley coached one of the top running back rooms in the NFL in Jacksonville from 2017-18. He mentored Fournette to a 1,000-yard season in 2017, as the Jaguars led the NFL in rushing yards (2,262) and ranked second in rushing touchdowns (18). Jacksonville had a 10-win regular season and advanced the AFC Championship Game behind a 109-yard, 3-touchdown game from Fournette in a 45-42 win at Pittsburgh in the AFC Divisional Round. 

Before Jacksonville, Wheatley spent two seasons coaching running backs for his alma mater, the University of Michigan, from 2015-16. He helped Michigan to consecutive 10-win seasons, back-to-back top-12 finishes in the AP Top 25, and a victory in the 2015 Citrus Bowl during his two seasons on staff.

In his first season at Michigan, the Wolverines rushed for over 2,000 yards with 27 touchdowns on the ground. The following year, Michigan led the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns with 41 and ranked second in the conference with 212.9 rushing yards per game, while registering 304 rushes for 2,768 yards (4.8 yards per carry).

Wheatley's first stint in the NFL came as running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2013-14. In his first season with the team, the Bills produced the league's #2-ranked running back room with 2,307 rushing yards. Wheatley coached both Spiller and Jackson to over 850-yard seasons, while the pair combined for 11 rushing touchdowns in 2013.

Preceding his time in the NFL, Wheatley spent five seasons coaching running backs in college football. He spent one season each at Ohio Northern (2008) and Eastern Michigan (2009), before a three-year stint at Syracuse (2010-12). At Syracuse, Wheatley coached three straight 1,000-yard rushers with Jerome Smith (1,171 in 2012), Antwon Bailey (1,051 in 2011), and Delone Carter (1,233 in 2010) all having career years under Wheatley.

Following a standout playing career, Wheatley began his coaching career as the head coach at Robichaud High School (Mich.) in 2007. He coached Robichaud to a 9-2 record in the regular season and a perfect 6-0 record in conference play.

Wheatley was a first-round pick (17th overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and concluded his 10-year NFL career by spending his last six seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Between the two organizations, Wheatley rushed for 4,962 yards and 40 touchdowns, while adding 900 receiving yards and 705 kickoff return yards. He played in Super Bowl XXXVII as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Wheatley is one of the all-time great athletes in Michigan history, totaling 4,187 rushing yards, 510 receiving yards and 53 touchdowns during his football career. He was named to three consecutive All-Big Ten teams (1992, 1993, 1994) and was selected as the 1992 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and the 1993 Rose Bowl Game MVP. He was also an All-American track star at Michigan and won the Big Ten's outdoor title in the 100-meter hurdles in 1994.

Wheatley rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 or more touchdowns in three straight seasons at Michigan. His most dominant game came in the 1993 Rose Bowl, when he led #7 Michigan to a 38-31 win over Washington by rushing for 235 yards and three touchdowns on only 15 carries (15.7 yards per rush). Michigan finished the season undefeated at 9–0–3 and ranked #5 in the AP Top 25. Playing for former Illinois head coach Gary Moeller, Wheatley helped Michigan to 35 victories during his four seasons, including wins in three straight bowl games. 

Wheatley earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan in 2008.

Prior to attending Michigan, Wheatley was known as one of the most decorated high school athletes in America out of Robichaud High School in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He was a nine-time state champion in individual track and field events, led Robichaud's football team to the 1990 Michigan state title and earned Parade All-America honors, and totaled over 4,000 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns during his high school football career. He was the first track and field athlete to win four individual events at an MHSAA Lower Peninsula Finals and set meet records in the 100 and long jump during his prep career. Wheatley was also a basketball star, as a three-sport athlete, and averaged 14 points and 16 rebounds per game as an all-state player during his senior season.

Wheatley was inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame in 2025, the NFHS National Hall of Fame in 2024, and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He was selected as the top Michigan High School athlete of all-time by State Champs in 2017.

Wheatley and his wife, Kimberly, have five children: Tyrone, Jr., Terius, Tyrique, Tiana, and Tamari.

Tyrone Jr. spent four seasons in the NFL with the Bears, Raiders, Browns, Patriots, and Falcons. Terius played running back at Virginia Tech from 2017-19, before finishing his collegiate career in 2021 at Morgan State playing for his father.

Wheatley's contract is pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. 

Coaching Career