9/26/07 - Where are they now? Tyrone Wheatley

Tyrone Wheatley played running back for the Michigan Wolverines from 1991 to 1994. Wheatley rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his last three seasons with Michigan. Tyrone broke onto the college scene in his sophomore season of 1992, and led the Wolverines to a 38-31 victory over Washington in the 1993 Rose Bowl. In that game, Wheatley finished with 235 yards on 15 carries and 3 touchdowns, earning him the Rose Bowl MVP award. In his senior season of 1994, Wheatley rushed for 1,144 yards with 12 touchdowns. Wheatley was selected by the New York Giants with the 17th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played in ten NFL seasons for both the Giants and the Oakland Raiders. Tyrone's best year as a pro came in 2000, when he rushed for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns while a member of the Raiders. Wheatley's NFL career came to end after the 2004 season. This year is Tyrone Wheatley's debut season as head coach of the Dearborn Heights Robichaud High School football team. Wheatley, now 35 years old, says he is using coaching as a way to give back to his community. He starred for Robichaud as a high schooler, leading the Bulldogs to their only Michigan state title in 1990, Wheatley's senior year of high school. The Bulldogs have made the playoffs just twice since that championship season. Wheatley's teachings seem to be paying early dividends, as his Bulldogs are currently 4-1 and look primed for another long awaited trip to the high school playoffs.