Michigan football certainly won their bowl game this postseason in the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. (You might have heard a thing or two about it given all the excessively soft coverage and incessant promotion of the Harbaugh hire overshadowing the heart of college football bowl season).
This past week, the focus for Michigan football has evolved to the program rounding out the Michigan football coaching staff.
(We just like to say Michigan football, we’re like Brady Hoke in that way)
Harbaugh’s latest newly minted assistant is not only a name you’ve heard of; it’s a giant name in Michigan football lore.
Tyrone Wheatley, is one of those names that every time you read it, you envision legendary retired ABC announcer Keith Jackson saying it in the Rose Bowl. “Oh nelly, Tyrone Wheatley, let me tell you about his running abilities….
From the the Michigan football press release:
Jim Harbaugh announces the hiring of Tyrone Wheatley as U-M’s running backs coach. Wheatley, who had a standout career as a Michigan running back and track athlete, returns to Ann Arbor after spending the past two seasons coaching running backs with the Buffalo Bills.
“Having Tyrone back in the Maize and Blue will be very special for our program,” said 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.”
Wheatley finished his illustrious Michigan football playing career as the program’s second-leading rusher (now fifth).
Now with Wheatley on staff, where’s his former backfield mate Tim Biakabuktuka? What’s he up to?
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital, eBay, Google News and CBS Interactive Inc.
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