Michigan confirms hiring of Tyrone Wheatley as RBs coach

A man who starred in the backfield for Michigan is coming back to coach the same positional group.

As had previously been speculated/reported, Michigan Saturday officially announced the hiring of Tyrone Wheatley as running backs coach. From the school’s press release:

Wheatley finished his illustrious 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.

“Having Tyrone back in the Maize and Blue will be very special for our program,” said first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. “He is a true leader, a dynamic coach and will make a profound impact on the young men who play for Michigan. I am so pleased to have him back in Schembechler Hall.”

“Michigan holds a special place in my heart and the chance to return here and help guide this program is truly a dream homecoming,” said Wheatley. “Michigan helped make me the man, husband and father I am today, and I am passionate about passing those lessons on to the next generation of young men in Maize and Blue. I look forward to getting to work and thank Coach Harbaugh for the opportunity.”

Prior to coming back to his alma mater. Wheatley spent two seasons as the running backs coach of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. His last collegiate coaching experience came in the same position at Syracuse.

He also spent time as running backs coach at Eastern Michigan (2009) and Ohio Northern (2008) after his 10-year NFL career ended.