Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

UNCP Athletics

scoreboard

John Wheeler

John Wheeler

  • Title
    Assistant Coach (Tight Ends/Specialists)
  • Email
    football@uncp.edu
  • Phone
    775-4236
A 20-year coaching veteran with previous stops at both the prep and collegiate levels, John Wheeler begins his second season at UNC Pembroke in 2024-25, as well as his fifth season alongside head coach Mark Hall, as the tight ends and specialists coach for the Braves.

Wheeler ventured to Pembroke after spending three seasons on the sidelines at Princeton (N.C.) High School. Prior to trekking to Princeton, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Chowan, and also possesses an extremely successful 9-year stint as the head coach of Currituck County High School in northeastern North Carolina.

In Wheeler's first season with the Black & Gold in 2023, the defense finished first in DII for the most tackles for loss yards during the season. Under the guidance of Wheeler, the defense ranked third in DII for sacks, 10th in yards allowed per play, and 11th in fumbles recovered for the season. The Braves closed out the season ranking 25th in the nation for overall defense. Wheeler also coached a pair of all-conference linebackers during the 2023 season with Sean Hill earning first team All-MEC nods and Saige Ley earning second team All-MEC recognition. 
 
As defensive coordinator for Princeton from 2020-22, Wheeler engineered a stop unit that forced 65 turnovers and surrendered just 18 points per game on the way to fueling the Bulldogs to a 32-4 clip across that span. Princeton raked in three-straight conference titles with Wheeler on staff, while also making three appearances in the state playoffs and capturing both a division and district title. He mentored 21 All-Conference players at Princeton, including an All-State linebacker and East/West All-Star Game invitee.
 
Charged with the tutelage of the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, and special teams for Chowan during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, Wheeler made his mark on the collegiate sidelines as the Hawks registered Division II’s 6th-ranked rushing offense (275.2 yards/game) in 2019 behind the legs of senior Deshaun Wethington. Wethington led the nation in rushing yards per game (172.1) after tallying 158 carries for 1,382 yards and a dozen touchdowns on the way to capturing All-CIAA recognition and a pair of All-Region nods.

Special teams came at a forte under Wheeler’s leadership as the Hawks amassed a dozen blocked kicks (10 field goals) from 2018-19, and showcased one of the nation’s best kickoff return defenses in 2019. Chowan also ranked fourth, nationally, that season with eight blocked field goals.
 
Individual recognitions came at a premium under Wheeler’s leadership at Chowan as well. Wethington and offensive lineman Donald Boone cruised to All-Conference and All-America nods following breakout seasons in 2019. Another offensive lineman, Aaron Ray, was named to the All-CIAA squad.
 
Wheeler amassed 40 victories as the skipper at Currituck County High School from 2009-17, while also leading the Knights to a conference crown, two district titles and five playoff appearances. He mentored 28 All-Conference and 25 All-Area players across his 9-year stay in Barco, and was named the 2013 Northeastern Coastal Conference Coach of the Year after pacing Currituck County to an 11-3 clip and an NCC championship. He also led the girls track & field team to a conference title in 2016, and picked up boys & girls track & field Coach of the Year the following season.
 
Wheeler dove into the coaching world as the inside linebackers coach at Currituck County High School from 2005-07, and spent the 2008 season as defensive coordinator at Estero (Fla.) High School.
 
Wheeler played four seasons (2001-04) for Chowan as a defensive end and outside linebacker. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history education from then-Chowan College in 2005, and completed his master’s degree in sports management at Western Carolina in 2019.

THE WHEELER FILE
Coaching Experience
2005-07 Currituck County (N.C.) High School, Assistant Coach (Inside Linebackers)
2008 Estero (Fla.) High School, Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator)
2009-17 Currituck County (N.C.) High School, Head Coach
2018-19 Chowan, Assistant Coach (Special Teams Coordinator/Offensive Line)
2020-22 Princeton (N.C.) High School, Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator)
2023-Present UNC Pembroke, Assistant Coach (Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator)
Playing Experience
Played four seasons (2001-04) at Chowan as defensive end and outside linebacker.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in history education (Chowan, 2005). Master's degree in sports management (Western Carolina, 2019).


Updated: August 2024