Tyrone Wheatley was a Michigan football star long before his coaching career began at the high-school level in 2007. Wheatley returned to his alma mater for a two-year stint under Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines remain a trending topic for him.

Now the head football coach at Morgan State, Wheatley addressed his Michigan days and more in an interview with the Notorious B1G Recruiting Podcast. Hosts Allen Trieu and Steve Wiltfong discussed a variety of topics, and asked Wheatley how close Michigan is to another National Championship.

“They’re close every year, every year they’re close,” Wheatley said beginning at the 32-minute mark of the podcast. “I think, right now, the biggest issue that they have, it’s not really so much an issue, I just think everybody always blames the coaching staff. I just think it’s young men coming together and truly understanding that they have to outplay the coaching. What I mean by that is, I’ve been in the huddle myself as a player and a call will come in or a play will happen, the coaches can’t always put you in the best situation possible. This is the reason why they recruited me to come to the University of Michigan. To make things happen. To play far beyond the play call.”

Wheatley spent 2015 and 2016 with Michigan, which were both 10-wins seasons for the Wolverines. Michigan came arguably came its closest last year before a game-12 loss to Ohio State crushed its hopes at the College Football Playoff.

“I’m not blaming anyone, I’m just thinking our guys have to play outside and beyond the coaching,” Wheatley said. "The talent is there. I was there. I know those guys. Hell, I recruited half of them. The talent is there. The coaching is there. Our guys just have to really ascend past them just saying ‘okay, this is what is called. This is what is asked of me.’ … At the end of the day, a lot of those young men have the things in them that you can’t coach. We need to see that more every Saturday.”

Wheatley became the next head football coach at Morgan State in February. Morgan State begins its 2019 season Aug. 29 against Bowling Green. Wheatley makes his home debut with the Bears Sept. 28 against NC Central.



"We are thrilled to bring a person and football coach of Tyrone Wheatley's caliber to Morgan State," athletic director Edward Scott said upon Wheatley’s hire. "Tyrone is an outstanding recruiter and understands the game of football at every level, both as a player and a coach. We are confident Tyrone can build broad support and engagement in our program while continuing to advance our football program in the classroom and on the playing field."