Michigan great Tyrone Wheatley steps down after 28-loss head coaching run

Wheatley moves on after three seasons at Wayne State.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 9:47pm

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Former Michigan Wolverines star and NFL running back Tyrone Wheatley has resigned as head coach at Wayne State after three seasons, the university announced. Wheatley went 5-28 at Wayne State, including an 0-11 season in 2025, and posted a 5-18 mark from 2019 to 2021 at Morgan State.

Why it matters

Wheatley was a standout player at Michigan and in the NFL, but his transition to becoming a successful college head coach proved challenging. His resignation highlights the difficulties some star players face when trying to build a winning program as a head coach.

The details

In his statement, Wheatley said he is "sincerely grateful to our players, coaching and support staff, alumni, and supporters for their dedication and belief." Wayne State Director of Athletics Erika Wallace thanked Wheatley for his "leadership and commitment to the success of our student athletes over the past three years."

  • Wheatley went 5-28 at Wayne State, including an 0-11 season in 2025.
  • Wheatley posted a 5-18 mark from 2019 to 2021 at Morgan State.

The players

Tyrone Wheatley

A former Michigan Wolverines star and NFL running back who served as the head coach at Wayne State for the past three seasons.

Erika Wallace

The Director of Athletics at Wayne State University.

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What they’re saying

“As head football coach, I accept full responsibility for the program and the standards that come with this role. After thoughtful reflection, I have decided to step down, believing this is the right decision for the student athletes and the university. I am sincerely grateful to our players, coaching and support staff, alumni, and supporters for their dedication and belief. It has been a privilege to serve this community.”

— Tyrone Wheatley, Former Head Coach (Wayne State University)

“We thank Tyrone for his leadership and commitment to the success of our student athletes over the past three years. We are fortunate to have someone of Terrence Isaac's caliber to guide our program forward, while continuing to support our student athletes and the standards we expect at Wayne State.”

— Erika Wallace, Director of Athletics (Wayne State University)

What’s next

Terrence Isaac will take over as the new head coach of the Wayne State football program.

The takeaway

Wheatley's resignation highlights the challenges that even star players can face when transitioning to become successful college head coaches. His inability to turn around the Wayne State program despite his pedigree as a Michigan and NFL standout underscores how coaching at the college level requires a unique skillset beyond just playing experience.