Wayne State Warriors football

Last updated

Wayne State Warriors football
Wayne State Warriors primary logo.svg
First season1918;106 years ago (1918)
Athletic director Erika Wallace
Head coach Tyrone Wheatley
1st season, 3–8 (.273)
Stadium Tom Adams Field
(capacity: 6,000)
Field surface FieldTurf
Location Detroit, Michigan
NCAA division Division II
Conference GLIAC
Past conferences PAC (1955–1965)
GLIAC (1975–1989)
MIFC (1990–1998)
All-time record317–444–29 (.420)
Conference titles3 (2 PAC, 1 GLIAC)
Consensus All-Americans60
ColorsGreen and gold [1]
   
Fight songWSU Victory Song
Marching bandWayne State Warrior Band
Rivals Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State
Former nicknamesTartars (1927–1999)
Website WSUAthletics.com

The Wayne State Warriors football team is the college football team at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. The Wayne State football team played their first game in October 1918. The Wayne State Warriors have competed in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since 1999 (and previously from 1975 to 1989), and are currently a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Wayne State plays their home games at Tom Adams Field at Wayne State Stadium. All Wayne State games are broadcast on WDTK radio.

Contents

Home venue

The WSU football team had multiple venues during its early years, including Goldberg Field, University of Detroit Stadium and Keyworth Stadium. The first long-term location for the football team was Tartar Field, followed by Tom Adams Field in Wayne State Stadium.

Head Coach

Wayne State University Interim Director of Athletics Erika Wallace announced Tyrone Wheatley as the next football head coach for the Warriors on Jan. 26, 2023. He becomes the 20th head coach in program history, which enters its 106th year and 105th playing season (due to COVID in 2020) in the fall of 2023.

Prior to joining the Broncos, Wheatley served as Morgan State's head coach for three seasons from 2019-21. During his tenure, he led the program to five wins despite the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's cancelation of the 2020 fall football season (COVID-19).

Overseeing Jacksonville's running back room from 2017–18, Wheatley helped orchestrate a rushing attack that averaged 124.6 rushing yards per game over his two seasons. In 2018, the Jaguars posted the NFL's best rushing attack (141.4 YPG) and tallied the second-most rushing touchdowns (18) that year.

Before Jacksonville, Wheatley spent the 2015-16 collegiate seasons coaching running backs for his alma mater, the University of Michigan. Wheatley was part of a coaching staff that guided the team to consecutive 10-3 seasons and back-to-back appearances in a bowl game.8

In his first season at Michigan, the Wolverines rushing attack collected over 2,000 yards on the ground with 27 touchdowns. The following year, Michigan rushed for 212.9 yards per game and registered 304 rushes for 2,768 yards (4.8 avg.) with 41 scores.

Wheatley's first stint in the NFL came as running backs coach for Buffalo from 2013-14. In his first season with the team in 2013, the Bills produced the league's second ranked rushing attack (144.2 YPG) and had two rushers (C.J. Spiller & Fred Jackson) who each collected over 850 yards rushing while combining for 11 rushing scores.

Preceding his time in the NFL, Wheatley spent five seasons coaching running backs in the collegiate ranks. He spent the 2008 season at Ohio Northern before spending one season (2009) at Eastern Michigan and three years (2010–12) at Syracuse.h

Wheatley began his coaching career at Robichaud High School where he served as head football coach for the Bulldogs in 2007. That season, Robichaud went 9-2 in the regular season and was a perfect 6-0 in league play.

He earned three consecutive All-Big Ten accolades (1992-93-94) for the Wolverines after graduating from Dearborn Heights Robichaud High School.

As a sophomore in 1992, Wheatley won the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year award and concluded that season with a 235-yard game in the Rose Bowl earning him the game's MVP award. He rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns, while adding three receiving TD's and one on a kickoff return.

Wheatley would surpass the 1,000-yard rushing plateau each of his finals two seasons in Ann Arbor garnering 1,129 yards and 1,144 yards, respectively. He completed his Wolverine career with 4,187 rushing yards, 510 receiving yards and 53 total touchdowns.

In addition, he had a standout track and field career for the Maize and Blue winning three letters (1993–95). Wheatley earned an All-America citation for his eighth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1995 NCAA Championships. He won the Big Ten's Outdoor title in the 110-meter hurdles in 1994. Wheatley still owns top-10 times in Michigan history in the 100-meter dash (8th / 10.46) and 110-meter hurdles (5th / 13.77).

He was a first round draft selection by the New York Giants in 1995 (17th overall) and concluded his 10-year professional career by spending the last six seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Between the two organizations, Wheatley rushed for 4,962 yards and 40 touchdowns, while adding 900 receiving yards and 705 kickoff return yards. He played in the 2003 Super Bowl as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

Wheatley earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2008 from Michigan. He and his wife Kimberly have five children: Tyrone, Jr., Terius, Tyrique, Tiana and Tamari. Tyrone Jr. is currently a member of the Cleveland Browns organization as an offensive tackle, while Terius played running back at Virginia Tech in 2018 and 2019, before finishing his collegiate career in 2021 at Morgan State playing for his father.

The Inkster native was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He was also selected as the top Michigan High School athlete of all-time by State Champs in 2017. https://wsuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/tyrone-wheatley/1778

Former Head Coach

The former head football coach for the Wayne State Warriors is Paul Winters. He was the head coach from 2004 until 2022. He started his collegiate football career as the running back for the University of Akron. Upon graduation he then went on to become the assistant and then onto the backfield coach. After his time at Akron, he spent the next eight years coaching at the University of Toledo and then the University of Wisconsin. He then returned to Akron as the Running Backs Coach and Offensive Coordinator before coming to Wayne State. Winters is a three-time GLIAC Coach of the Year (2006, 2008 and 2019). [2]

>

Mascot

The team changed its name from the Tartars to the Warriors in 1999. The mascot for the Warriors, “W”, debuted in 2005. [3]

All-Americans

The Warriors have had five All-American players in their history. In 2006, David Chudzinski was first team All-American for the offensive side of the ball. Joique Bell was another offensive player named 2009 first team All-American; he was also given the Harlon Hill Trophy in the same year. This award is given to the All-Around best player in Division II football. [4] An all-purpose, first team All-American, Josh Renel, was named in 2010. Both Joe Long (offense) and Jeremy Jones (defense) were named 2011 first team All-Americans. Long was also awarded the Gene Upshaw Award in 2011. Leon Eggleston was First Team All American in 2019. [5]

National Championship Runner Up

After barely making the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs in 2011, the Warriors made it all the way to the national championship game before losing to the Pittsburg State Gorillas of Kansas. It was the first year that the football program had ever made it to the playoffs in their entire history. The Warriors won all of their road games, traveling across the country and ending up in Florence, AL for the championship game. A tragic shooting and murder of a WSU player, Cortez Smith, inspired the team for success.

Conference championships

YearCoachOverall recordConference recordConference
1956Herbert L. Smith4–2–13–0–1Presidents' Athletic Conference
1964Stanley J. Marshall4–3–14–1–1
1975 Dick Lowry 8–3–03–1–0Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Individual award winners

Dick Lowry – 1975
Paul Winters – 2006, 2008, 2019
Joique Bell – 2006
Kevin Smith – 2008

Warriors in the NFL

Wayne State has had six players drafted in the NFL. [6]

Notable Warrior coaches

Notable Warrior players

Related Research Articles

Tyrone Anthony Wheatley Sr. is an American college football coach and former professional player who is the head football coach for Wayne State University, a position he has held since 2023. Previously, he served as the running backs coach of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a running back for 10 seasons in the NFL.

Derrick Scott Alexander is an American college football coach and former professional player. He is the head football coach for Avila University, a position he has held since 2023. He played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL).

Cullen Finnerty was an American football quarterback. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Grand Valley State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Powers</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Richard Powers is a former running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns and a former University of Michigan Wolverines football co-captain. In the NFL, he had a brief career with the Browns during their final season before they relocated to become the Baltimore Ravens. His career ended due to being lost in the shuffle when the Browns moved to Baltimore and changed coaching staffs. In college, he set the Michigan football freshman rushing record that stood for fourteen seasons, and as a sophomore was the leading rusher for the team during Desmond Howard's Heisman Trophy-winning season. With the Wolverines, he was a member of three consecutive Big Ten Conference football championship teams. In high school, he was the Parade All-American star running back of the two-time Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) football championship team at Buchtel High School, where he has returned to coach baseball and football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Thomas (American football)</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Anthony “A-Train” Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a running back for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1997 to 2000, breaking their career rushing record at the time with a four-year total of 4,472 yards. As a senior he rushed for 1,733 yards with 18 touchdowns, and was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten running back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1991 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team was undefeated in the Big Ten Conference and was led by Heisman Trophy-winner Desmond Howard, Butkus Award-winner Erick Anderson and national statistical champion Elvis Grbac. The team won the fourth of five consecutive Big Ten championships. The team lost to split national champion Washington Huskies in the 1992 Rose Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1982 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1982 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 14th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled an 8–4 record, won the Big Ten championship, lost to UCLA in the 1983 Rose Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 345 to 204.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1994 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Gary Moeller in his last season as head coach, the Wolverines participated in the Holiday Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne State Warriors</span> Athletic teams representing Wayne State University

The Wayne State Warriors are the athletic teams that represent Wayne State University, located in Detroit, Michigan, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sporting competitions. The Warriors compete as members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for all 16 varsity sports. The Warriors have been members of the GLIAC since 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1993 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. That year Michigan Wolverines football competed in the Big Ten Conference in almost all intercollegiate sports including men's college football. The team featured three All-Americans: Tyrone Wheatley, Buster Stanley, and Ty Law. Stanley, who was the team MVP, served as co-captain with Ricky Powers. The team posted an 8–4 overall record and won the 1994 Hall of Fame Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1992 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team went undefeated—albeit with three ties—and won its fifth consecutive Big Ten Conference championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1977 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1977 Big Ten Conference football season. In its ninth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the team compiled a 10–2 record, tied with Ohio State for the Big Ten Conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 353 to 124. The Wolverines were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll midway through the season but were upset by the unranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. In the final game of the regular season, Michigan beat No. 4 Ohio State but lost to No. 13 Washington in the 1978 Rose Bowl. In the final AP and UPI polls, Michigan was ranked No. 9 and No. 8, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1973 Big Ten Conference football season. In his fifth year as Michigan's head coach, Bo Schembechler led the team to a 10–0–1 record. It was Michigan's first undefeated season since 1948. The Wolverines outscored their opponents 330 to 68. Michigan was ranked No. 6 in both of the major post-season polls. Two other selectors, the National Championship Foundation and the Poling System, recognize Michigan as a co-national champion for the 1973 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joique Bell</span> American football player (born 1986)

Joique Dewayne Bell Jr. is a former American football running back. He played college football at Wayne State. Bell was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denard Robinson</span> American football player (born 1990)

Denard Xavier Robinson is an American former professional football player and a former staff member for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville University and the University of Michigan. He played four seasons as a running back in the National Football League (NFL), and was a college football All-American for the Michigan Wolverines as a quarterback. Robinson was selected by the Jaguars in the 2013 NFL draft.

Joseph R. Long is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Long attended Wayne State University in Michigan and joined the St. Louis Rams as a free agent as he went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft. His brother is former offensive tackle Jake Long.

Paul Winters is an American college football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Wayne State University from 2004 until 2022. Winters played college football at the University of Akron as a running back from 1976 to 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Evans (American football)</span> American football player (born 1997)

Chris Evans is an American professional football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle who is a free agent. Wheatley played college football at Michigan and Stony Brook.

The 2022 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the seven member schools of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) as part of the 2022 NCAA Division II football season.

References

  1. ↑ Wayne State University Athletics Style Guide (PDF). September 1, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Paul Winters bio, WSU Athletics".
  3. ↑ http://wsuathletics.com/documents/2012/9/6/2012_FB_MG_pages114-126.pdf?id=1133, access-date=2013-05-21, pp=123
  4. ↑ http://wsuathletics.com/documents/2012/9/6/2012_FB_MG_p86-99.pdf?id=1130, access-date=2013-05-21, pp=91
  5. ↑ "2012fbmgp8699" (PDF). wsuathletics.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Football". Wayne State University Athletics. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.