Brannen, Wheatley Added to Wolverines Coaching Staff
10/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's track and field head coach Ron Warhust announced today (Thursday, Oct. 20) the addition of former Michigan student-athletes Nate Brannen and Tyrone Wheatley to the Wolverine coaching staff. Both will serve in volunteer roles, with Brannen working with the distance group and Wheatley assisting with the sprint and hurdles efforts.
An 11-time All-American in cross country and track, Brannen captured back-to-back NCAA indoor titles in the 800-meter run (2003, '04) and was an integral member of the Wolverines' distance medley relay team, including a leadoff role in Michigan's world record-breaking performance at the 2004 NCAA meet. Individually, he owns school records in the indoor 800m (1:47.51), outdoor 800m (1:46.00) and indoor mile (3:55.11), while also contributing to record efforts in the indoor distance medley relay (9:27.77), outdoor distance medley relay (9:22.57) and 4xMile relay (16:04.54). Brannen currently serves as an undergraduate assistant coach with the U-M men's cross country team.
"I think I will have a similar role to one I had last season as a team captain," said Brannen. "I plan on helping out with workouts, but I expect it be a little less hands-on. I just want to make myself available to the guys for any advice they may be looking for. If I can use my knowledge and experience to help the team, I think I can be an asset."
Wheatley returns to Michigan upon the completion of a successful 10-year career in the National Football League (1995-2004). He was a first-round NFL draft pick of the New York Giants and later played in his final six seasons with the Oakland Raiders, which included an appearance in the 2002 Super Bowl. Wheatley retired with 4,962 career rushing yards and 47 touchdowns.
"First and foremost, classes brings me back to Ann Arbor," said Wheatley. "I also wanted to be introduced back into coaching. I want to get a fresh start and a second career in coaching. It is something I am very interested in pursuing."
As a Michigan student-athlete (1991-95), Wheatley was a three-time All-Big Ten selection on the gridiron, contributing to Michigan's 35-10-3 record during his tenure and back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances in 1991 and 1992. He ranks third in U-M program history with 4,178 rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns with 47. In the spring season, Wheatley was a 1995 NCAA All-American and 1994 Big Ten champion in the high hurdles and still ranks among the top Wolverine runners of all-time with personal bests of 10.46 and 13.77 in the 100m dash and 110m hurdles, respectively.
"My role for this season is two-fold," said Wheatley, "First, learning the administrative side. I know the athletic side, but I want to learn the administrative side under the tutelage of Ron and Fred (LaPlante). The second role would be to pass down some experiences that I've had through football and track to the student-athletes here at Michigan."
Rounding out the U-M volunteer coaching corps is top American distance runner Tim Broe, who enters his fourth season with the Wolverine program. A 2004 Olympian, Broe captured his third straight U.S. 5,000-meter title at the 2005 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June, breaking the 20-year-old meet record with a personal-best 13:12.76.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
