Hello: Tyrone Wheatley, Running Backs
PENS
You don't need to be told that much about Tyrone Wheatley's origin story. If you're a pup, here you go:
Wheatley's career rushing average is second only to Denard Robinson at Michigan.
After that, Wheatley was a first round pick of the Raiders who had a decade-long NFL career during which he morphed from the fastest damn guy you've ever seen to a reliable pounder. A couple years after he retired he went into coaching, first at his high school alma mater, then as a running backs coach at an increasingly prestigious series of institutions: Ohio Northern, Eastern Michigan, Syracuse, and then the Bills. When Doug Marrone opted out of his Bills contract, Wheatley was on the open market and came home.
Here is the most spectacularly short coaching bio in history:
Tyrone Wheatley, a former NFL running back, will enter his second season as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and continues to oversee the team’s running backs.
Good job, good effort, Bills.
I have no idea if Wheatley's a good coach. I mean, he probably is, but it is hard to tell anything from stats. Football Outsiders has some running back stats in which the Bills two main backs fare poorly, but they're undrafted 33-year-old journeymanFred Jackson (not that Fred Jackson) and sixth-rounder Anthony Dixon operating behind an offensive line that FO's stats don't like much either.
His tenure at Syracuse seems relatively successful:
- In 2010, Wheatley arrives. Returning starter Delone Carter is coming off a season in which he barely cracked a thousand yards at 4.3 a pop; his final season sees his YPC jump a full yard.
- In 2011, senior Antwon Bailey ascends to the top job with grim results.
- In 2012, juniors Jerome Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley both have excellent production, collectively rushing for almost 2,000 yards at 5.2 a pop.
How much of that is due to tailback talent versus tailback coaching is hard to figure out, and then there's the whole blocking business that's important. I can just barely use stats to say a DBs coach is pretty good—with running backs it's hopeless. One year tenures at small schools aren't going to tell us much of anything, either.
Unfortunately, Tyrone Wheatley's kid is also named Tyrone Wheatley so attempts to track down anything about the elder's recruiting are swamped by articles about the younger. (Fortunately, the younger Wheatley is a four-star recruit with offers from the likes of Alabama who is now expected to end up at Michigan.)
TALKING
Wheatley after his last game at 'Cuse, a Pinstripe Bowl win over WVU:
Also, an article on Wheatley's move to Syracuse:
So, is Syracuse home?
"Syracuse is a great opportunity...Michigan is home."
Wheatley’s ultimate dream is running his own team, but doesn't plan on Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon calling his number soon, or ever.
"Sometimes, as a human being, you have to know your limitations,” Wheatley said. “I've played in the Big House, and I know what it would take to run a program in the Big House. That is too much of a monster for me."
That's a sort of humility uncommon in coaches, though the reason Dave Brandon didn't call his number wasn't so much about Wheatley. He's also got a unique perspective on loyalty:
"Some coaches forget that they played,” Wheatley said. “When one of my players walks into the room, I can generally guess what's wrong--I've been down that road. Not just about X's and O's, it's about caring about the person. One of the great things Gary Moeller did for me is caring about me as a person. Can't get to the football player without getting to the person."
Wheatley is also intensely loyal to the idea of tradition.
"When I become a head coach, that's it, I plan on retiring there," he said. …
"I want to see 15, 20 graduating classes,” he said. “I want my players, who have fertilized that field with their blood, sweat, and tears, to come back and know they always have a place at the school, and that I'm going to be there."
That passion bodes well for the recruiting trail for as long as Michigan can hold on to Wheatley.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
RB coaches are often recruiters first because tailback is a spot where you've either got it or you don't. Wheatley promises to bring buckets of that as a famous program alum with a deep-seated passion for Michigan; he's also focused on being a head coach someday and the best way to get there is to kill it at Michigan. He's almost certainly going to be lights-out wherever they deploy him. The bet here is in-state and in the New York area.
As a coach… I don't think anyone could tell you. He's got all the experience you could want there, at least, and his quick rise to the NFL and then Michigan is encouraging. Yeah, his name helps. It's not everything. There are a number of other ex-Michigan guys who wanted to coach who didn't catch on so quickly.
And there is a coaching aspect. Michigan's seen a lot of wrong holes chosen and pass pickups airballed of late. Hopefully Michigan's backs will start improving at Michigan instead of after they leave now. For example: Mike Cox, Fitz Toussaint, Thomas Rawls.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE COACHING STAFF
We're in the home stretch here with everyone save Jimmie Dougherty and Roy Manning confirmed. Tolbert has just been officially anointed; we should hear about the other two guys in the near future here.
OFFENSE | COACH | confidence | DEFENSE | COACH | confidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
OC | Tim Drevno | lock | DC | DJ Durkin | lock |
QB | Jim Harbaugh | lock | DL | Greg Mattison | lock |
RB | Ty Wheatley | lock | LB | Durkin | lock |
WR | Jedd Fisch | lock | DB | Greg Jackson | lock |
OL | Drevno | lock | OLB/DE | Roy Manning | probable |
TE | Jimmie Dougherty | probable | ST | John Baxter | lock |
S&C: Kevin Tolbert.
If either of the unconfirmed guys gets knocked out it'll be for a subject matter expert. In Dougherty's case he might get passed over for a guy with more TE/OL experience; in Manning's that would be for a CBs coach.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^
misplaced
January 12th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
Some, not all rules get tossed out. As regards contact, however, a "prior existing relationship" means that Wheatley can have as much contact with his son as wanted . . . the normal rules don't apply.
What would be interesting would be rules on coachable hours. I suppose that a father could coach his own son as many hours as desired. That's one of the rules I wouldn't be clear on.
It also would be interesting to know how rules applied to friends of Wheatley Jr. If Wheatley Jr. is doing something and has a friend along, how do rules apply to said friend? This level of question becomes arcane.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:27 AM ^
can he give his son cream cheese with is bagel?
January 12th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
If I was in Jr's position I'd be thinking more about a Mustang or a 3 Series than I would about cream cheese.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 1:08 PM ^
Independent rear suspension
January 12th, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 12:44 PM ^
aka "Mom", bet she provides all sorts of extra benefits in terms of food and gifts. Sounds like something that should be investigated.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:27 AM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^
The rules still apply, just as strictly, to Junior's friends.
A little over a decade ago, Bill Walton took his son Luke to an NBA playoff game in Los Angeles back when Luke was a student-athlete for the University of Arizona. Luke also brought along a friend, Richard Jefferson, who was also an Arizona basketball student-athlete.
Bill Walton paid the airfare for Luke Walton (which was not an NCAA violation) and also for Richard Jefferson (which was an NCAA violation). The NCAA suspended Jefferson for one game.
Reference: http://www.arizonawildcats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30700&ATCLID=207915963
January 12th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^
Those 2 things are a pretty far cry from each other, No?
January 12th, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^
I think the example mainly shows that the NCAA rules are pretty much out the door when it comes to father-and-son interactions (Wheatley can buy Wheatley Jr. cars or plane tickets, and can talk with him about how to play football and practice with him in the back yard), but that does not create a loophole for Wheatley to do the same things for Wheatley Jr.'s friends on the team.
January 12th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
I'm sure you're right. Material benefits, in particular, obviously can't be extended to others beyond junior. Having said that, I would assume there is a little wiggle room in terms of interaction and discussions between father and son.
But I also am pretty sure that the rules will be followed by Harbaugh and the coaching staff. And typically, coaches I've known don't cut their own kids any slack or give them preferential treatment. Would think the same would be true here.
January 12th, 2015 at 3:53 PM ^
What if Sr told Jr he'd ONLY buy him a car if he went to Michigan?
If that isn't a violation it at the least sounds like Buckeyeism!
January 12th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
It seems like it would be quite difficult to limit rules on something like this. How could one differentiate between fatherly advice and coaching advice? Pretty impossible IMO.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
Well, here's the logic: it's his own son.
January 12th, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^
That offer was probably on the table prior to him being named coach.
January 12th, 2015 at 6:24 PM ^
How is that any different from any other time a parent tells their kid 'do this and ill give you that?'
January 12th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
*Boobie Dixon
January 12th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
I absolutely love his comments about making a program a home for the players. I fully anticipate him becoming a key recruiter as well with the way he wants to look out for his players.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^
I agree. If he can teach the RB's to hit a hole (apparently this can be taught: see Mike Cox, Thomas Rawls, etc.) and pick up a blitz, he will kill it. As a recruiter in Michigan, he is going to kill it -- the recruits fathers will all be in awe and his NFL connections will impress the kids. This is a great hire.
January 12th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^
This is nothing new
January 12th, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
January 12th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
Absolutely love his quotes. I am sure he can coach a RB but that passion is priceless. Welcome home, #6.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
Wheatley was actually drafted by the Giants, and famously clashed with Dan Reeves. FWIW Wheatley lasted longer in NY than Reeves.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^
right, and my memory is that wheatley was cut by both the ny giants and miami before having great success with oakland
January 12th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
sorry--double post
January 12th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
Welcome home Tyrone. Hopefully he brings jr. with him as well. :)
January 12th, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^
I don't see players leaving Michigan with Tyrone Wheatley recruiting them.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
Was just going to say...I don't think we lose another Detroit player. Ever.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^
And it will be great to have a stable of Michigan running backs toting the rock at Michigan for the next decade.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
THAT FILM! Holy crap, the combination of size and speed is something to behold. I hope Green can turn into that sort of back on Wheatley's watch.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
Derrick Green is fast for a 230-lb. back. Tyrone Wheatley was just plain fast for any size.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
I miss the marshmallows.
January 12th, 2015 at 7:36 PM ^
The other thing that stands out is the OL. They generate a lot of push and stay on their blocks
January 12th, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^
Welcome home, Mr Wheatley! Now give Mike Weber a call!
January 12th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^
"Hey kids, watch this video of the 1993 Rose Bowl. See how awesome that was? See how cool it's possible to look in the maize and blue? Yeah. Go out and do that."
They'd never lose another game.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
Is that a "gut feeling", just a common sense-like comment, or do we have some linkable info? The kid has kept his recruitment so tight that I have no sense of where he might wind up. I would guess that if he's coming our way he already knows it and he'll make the decision quickly to be able to help with additional recruiting.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
He flat out said he would commit to Michigan if his dad were hired. However, that was a month or so ago and he may have changed his mind. His last few interviews he seemed to be leaning towards other schools. We'll see.
January 12th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
if he's anything like me when I was in high school, things have changed from an hour ago.
January 12th, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^
He had a top3 late last week that didn't include michigan
January 12th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
Wheatley should fit the bill as running back coach...
January 12th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
I see what you did there.
January 12th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
Like Fred Jackson, but fast!
January 12th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
Jackson has finally been displaced. I'm enthused and optimistic about Wheatley. I think it's a great get and he should be a lights-out recruiter. Good days ahead, my friends. Good days ahead!
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