BryRich3

January 16th, 2017 at 7:56 PM ^

He must like the pro's over the college game. One could assume that being at your Alma mater and coaching a team with your son on it would be enticing enough to stay.

I wish him well and look forward to seeing who is tabbed as his replacement.

Joined: 12/09/2016

MGoPoints: 248

Mr. Yost

January 16th, 2017 at 8:54 PM ^

Because he is going to coach with his former boss.

Isn't it all possible that he likes Marrone more than Harbaugh or the NFL more than college?

It may not be a step up...but maybe it's just what he prefers.

I took a lateral move in my career with slightly less pay to move to a better city and work at a much better school. It worked out in the end for me and I was much happier in the meantime.

He worked with Marrone in Buffalo and Marrone opted out but didn't get rehired. Wheatley was a free agent and Harbaugh scooped him up. Now Marrone is getting some of the band back together.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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Mr. Yost

January 16th, 2017 at 9:00 PM ^

I haven't heard anything like that being reported.

Wheatley interviewed for a HEAD COACHING job. Something he's always wanted. And now he's going back to work for someone he's already worked for...

Everything I've heard is...Michigan was always a stepping stone for Wheatley. I don't think he and Harbaugh were BFFs, but I think there's a mutual respect and I've never heard anything about Wheatley having a problem with him.

More than anything, it's just a lot of work in college and this is an opportunity to get back to the NFL and also work for someone who he knows and is comfortable with.

It's not like he's leaving to go be RB coach at Kansas. It's not like he's leaving to go be RB coach on some random NFL team where he has no relationship with anyone on the staff.

As far as I know he never interviewed for any of those type positions either.

I think we can relax on the assuming there was some kind of riff between the two guys.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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SD Larry

January 16th, 2017 at 8:36 PM ^

He is one of the all time great Michigan running backs, a great recruiter, and an accomplished Coach.  This will not be his last career move, and that he will end up as a head coach or offensive coordinator some day.  Wish him the best and thank him for his contribution to Michigan football. 

Joined: 10/05/2014

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The Truth Hurts

January 16th, 2017 at 8:28 PM ^

I think u guys are looking at this all wrong.   If it was tension, why would Harbaugh send him on a recruiting visit knowing the coach don't want to be here.   TW only signed a two year contract and now two years are up.

Joined: 03/30/2011

MGoPoints: 3598

cbs650

January 16th, 2017 at 9:39 PM ^

But you also don't send him to recruit in home with a top prospect and their in uncertainty with his job. I think this was a money thing more than anything. Both coordinators making 1+ mil and Pep probably getting at a nice pay day as an AHC. I don't know Wheatley pay but I'm sure he's getting more now in NFL than was available at UM.

Joined: 02/07/2011

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LSAClassOf2000

January 16th, 2017 at 8:29 PM ^

CBS Sports and a few other sites are running with this now, so I going to assume that this has legs, although I would love to be wrong as it was fun to have Wheatley back in Ann Arbor for a while. Good luck to him though in Jacksonville and I thank him for coming back to help the cause for a bit - we will miss him. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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thisisme08

January 16th, 2017 at 8:36 PM ^

The number of comments questioning Wheatley and his love of Michigan are ridicioulous. Take of your Maize colored glasses for a moment and just think that maybe he likes the NFL game more than college.  Wheatley does not owe Michigan anything and if you really want to get down to brass tacks I highly doubt he would advise his son to attend UoM if he didn't have his best interests at heart.  

Not to mention the fact that assistants with upward mobility are something we have no recent history with.  This directly plays into the recruiting game when JH can say X # of assistants are now HC or in the NFL.

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