Illinois Football news: Tyrone Wheatley joins the Illini as RB coach

News: Illinois football is starting to round out the rest of its staff. The Illini have announced that former NFL running back Tyrone Wheatley will be their new running backs coach. The position was previously held by Thad Ward, who left this offseason to be Kansas State’s wide receivers coach. Wheatley spent 10 seasons as a running back in the NFL, four seasons with the New York Giants and six with the Oakland Raiders. He is a Detroit native who played his college ball at the University of Michigan.

Tyrone Wheatley brings a professional pedigree to the Illinois football program. He has also coached with Michigan, Syracuse, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Buffalo Bills. The Illini provide Wheatley with an exciting group of running backs, including Ca’lil Valentine, Aidan Laughery, Javari Barnett, Nelsyn Wheeler, John Forster, Cedric Wyche, and Jordan Anderson.

After an offseason of attrition from the assistant coaching staff, including Aaron Henry, Terrance Jamison, Robbie Discher, Thad Ward, and Trent Harris, Illinois football is certainly finding intriguing assistants to fill those gaps.

Official Statement from Tyrone Wheatley and Bret Bielema

Statement from Tyrone Wheatley:  “Coach Bielema has built a culture defined by toughness, discipline, and accountability. To coach under a leader with his experience, vision, and championship pedigree is an absolute honor. To the Illini community, alumni, players, and fans, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to getting to work.”

Statement from Bret Bielema: “Coach Wheatley is an accomplished coach with proven success in both the NFL and college football. Our program will benefit immediately from his experience as a running backs coach and head coach. He has been an outstanding player and coach in the Big Ten and has developed some of the top running backs in football. We are excited to welcome Coach Wheatley to Champaign.”

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