Former Michigan Star Tyrone Wheatley Lands Coaching Job at Illinois

Wheatley, a two-time All-Big Ten running back, takes over as Illinois' running backs coach after struggling as a head coach at lower levels.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Tyrone Wheatley, a former star running back at the University of Michigan in the early 1990s, has been hired as the new running backs coach at the University of Illinois. Wheatley had previously struggled as a head coach at the Division II and FCS levels, going a combined 10-39 in five seasons, but is now returning to the Big Ten conference where he had great success as a player.

Why it matters

Wheatley's hiring at Illinois represents a chance for the former Michigan standout to revive his coaching career after a difficult stretch as a head coach. His return to the Big Ten also marks a reunion with the conference where he was once a dominant offensive force as a player.

The details

Wheatley was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and the conference's Offensive Player of the Year in 1992 while at Michigan. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons and scored 46 total touchdowns for the Wolverines. Wheatley was then a first-round NFL draft pick, playing nine seasons in the league with the Giants, Dolphins and Raiders. However, his coaching career has not gone as smoothly, as he went a combined 0-11 in his final season at Division II Wayne State and just 5-28 overall in three years as the head coach there. He also had a 5-18 record in two seasons as the head coach at FCS-level Morgan State. Now Wheatley will look to revive his coaching fortunes as the running backs coach at Illinois.

  • Wheatley resigned as head coach at Division II Wayne State in Detroit last week after going 0-11 in 2025.
  • Illinois announced Wheatley's hiring as its new running backs coach on February 16, 2026.

The players

Tyrone Wheatley

A former star running back at the University of Michigan in the early 1990s, where he was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and the conference's Offensive Player of the Year in 1992. Wheatley was then a first-round NFL draft pick and played nine seasons in the league.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The football team of the University of Illinois, which has hired Wheatley as its new running backs coach.

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What they’re saying

“Welcome to the FamILLy, Running Backs Coach Tyrone Wheatley”

— Illinois Football, Twitter account (Twitter)

What’s next

Wheatley will look to help revive the Illinois running game as the team's new running backs coach. His first game against his alma mater Michigan is not scheduled for 2026, but he will face another of his former rivals, Ohio State, on September 26 in Columbus.

The takeaway

Tyrone Wheatley's hiring at Illinois represents a chance for the former Michigan star to get his coaching career back on track after struggling as a head coach at lower levels. His return to the Big Ten, where he was once a dominant player, could provide the fresh start he needs to prove himself as a coach.