Michael Wilhoite Explained

Michael Wilhoite
Current Team:Denver Broncos
Position:Outside linebackers coach
Birth Date:December 7, 1986
Birth Place:Manhattan, Kansas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:245
College:Washburn (2005–2010)
Undraftedyear:2011
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:298
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:0.5
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:2
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:4

Michael Wilhoite (born December 7, 1986) is an American football coach and former linebacker who is currently the outside linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washburn University where he played six different positions, including linebacker and safety.[1] He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL) in 2011.

Early years

Prior to playing in the NFL, Wilhoite's coaches would use him at other positions due to his athleticism, which also included quarterback in high school. He had played six different positions in total during his college career.

Professional career

Omaha Nighthawks

After going unselected in the 2011 NFL draft, Wilhoite signed with the Omaha Nighthawks and spent the entire 2011 UFL season with them.[2]

San Francisco 49ers

On December 14, 2011, Wilhoite was signed to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers.[3] [4]

He was waived for final roster cuts before the start of the 2012 season, but was signed back to the practice squad on September 1, 2012.[5] After being on the practice squad for twelve weeks in 2012, he was promoted to the active roster.[6] He finished with 11 tackles and made several key plays on special teams during the 49ers run to Super Bowl XLVII, where they fell 34–31 to the Baltimore Ravens.[7] [8]

After the Super Bowl, he remained part of the 49ers active roster the next season.[9]

Set to be a restricted free agent, Wilhoite was offered a tender by the 49ers on March 12, 2014.[10] He signed his tender on April 21.[11]

On November 16, 2014, against the New York Giants, Wilhoite recorded his first career interception, which came off of Eli Manning.[12]

On March 8, 2016, Wilhoite signed a one-year contract extension with the 49ers.[13]

Seattle Seahawks

On March 24, 2017, Wilhoite signed with the Seattle Seahawks.[14]

Coaching career

New Orleans Saints

Wilhoite was hired by the New Orleans Saints as a special teams assistant in 2019.[15] [16]

Los Angeles Chargers

On February 14, 2021, the Los Angeles Chargers hired Wilhoite as their linebackers coach.[17]

On January 19, 2023, Wilhoite was fired by the Chargers, despite developing success stories such as Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill.[18]

Denver Broncos

On February 23, 2023, the Denver Broncos hired Wilhoite as their outside linebackers coach.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SFGate.com. Parents boost 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite. Eric. Branch. August 12, 2013. June 24, 2014.
  2. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4293829 UFL 2011 Season Rosters Announced
  3. Web site: CJOnline.com. WU's Wilhoite gets NFL shot with 49ers. December 23, 2011. Ken. Corbitt. June 24, 2014.
  4. Web site: SFGate.com. 49ers sign LB Wilhoite to practice squad; release RB Johnson. December 14, 2011. Eric. Branch. June 24, 2014.
  5. Web site: SanFrancisco.CBSLocal.com. 49ers Sign 8 Players To Practice Squad. September 1, 2012. June 24, 2014.
  6. http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/30/49ers-promote-lb-wilhoite-from-practice-squad/ 49ers promote LB Wilhoite from practice squad
  7. Web site: Michael Wilhoite Stats.
  8. Web site: Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . December 2, 2017.
  9. Web site: 49ers.com. Michael Wilhoite: 'My Goal Is to Be the Starter'. May 1, 2014. Taylor. Price. June 24, 2014.
  10. News: NBCSports.com. 49ers tender Demarcus Dobbs and Michael Wilhoite. Curtis. Crabtree. March 12, 2014. June 24, 2014.
  11. Web site: SacBee.com. Michael Wilhoite, a possible starter at linebacker, signs tender. April 21, 2014. Matt. Barrows. June 24, 2014.
  12. Web site: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants - November 16th, 2014 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . December 22, 2017.
  13. Web site: 49ers Tender One-year Contracts to LB Michael Wilhoite and OL Jordan Devey. 49ers.com. March 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309105738/http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Tender-One-year-Contracts-to-LB-Michael-Wilhoite-and-OL-Jordan-Devey/7bbc2629-f6c4-4d70-964d-f90f36b2427f. March 9, 2016. dead.
  14. Web site: Seahawks Sign Linebacker Michael Wilhoite. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. March 24, 2017. March 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170612001841/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/03/24/seahawks-sign-linebacker-michael-wilhoite. June 12, 2017. dead.
  15. Web site: Saints' special teams coaching staff adds Michael Wilhoite . USA Today . March 3, 2019 . 4 October 2020.
  16. Web site: Saints give Wilhoite opportunity to take 'next step' in NFL career . The Topeka Capital-Journal . 4 October 2020.
  17. Web site: Chargers announce Saints assistant Michael Wilhoite as linebackers coach. January 4, 2024. saintswire.usatoday.com. en.
  18. Web site: Chargers fire linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite. January 3, 2024. chargerswire.usatoday.com. en.
  19. Web site: Report: Broncos Hire Two Linebacker Coaches. January 4, 2024. si.com. en.