Tyrone Wheatley named running backs coach

JACKSONVILLE – The offensive staff continues to take shape.

And the latest addition to the Jaguars’ coaching staff is a player with plenty of NFL experience as a player – and a strong connection to Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone.

Tyrone Wheatley, formerly the running backs coach at the University of Michigan, on Monday was named to the same position with the Jaguars. The team announced the move Monday evening.

Wheatley, 44, spent 2010-2012 as the running backs coach under Marrone at Syracuse University – and spent 2013-2014 in the same capacity under Marrone with the Buffalo Bills.

“I am excited to have Tyrone join our staff and work with our running backs,” Marrone said in a statement. “I have worked with him for five years and know the type of leader and teacher that he is. He is an exceptional coach and will bring out the best in his players. He brings a charisma, attitude and Super Bowl-playing experience to the staff that will be vital as we enter the 2017 season.”

Wheatley, the running backs coach at Michigan the past two seasons, spent 2009 as the running backs coach at Eastern Michigan and was the running backs coach at Ohio Northern in 2008.

“Tyrone Wheatley has experienced vast success, both as a player and as a coach, at the professional and collegiate levels,” Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin said in a statement. “He is a great addition to our coaching staff and will play a large role in the development and implementation of our running game.

“He brings a diverse skillset and background that will be extremely beneficial to our players and we look forward to him getting started.”

Wheatley, Michigan’s fifth-all-time leading rusher, was the No. 17 overall selection by the New York Giants in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played 10 seasons in the NFL – five with Carolina (1995-1999) and five with Oakland (2000-2004). He rushed for 4,962 yards and 40 touchdowns on 1,270 carries and caught 120 passes for 900 yards and seven touchdowns.

He was the fifth coach officially named to Marrone’s staff in the last four days.

The Jaguars officially named Joe DeCamillis special teams coordinator Friday, and named Todd Wash the defensive coordinator Saturday morning. The team also announced the hirings of offensive line coach Pat Flaherty and secondary coach Perry Fewell on Saturday.