Urbana University head football coach Tyler Haines announced Wednesday that former UU All-American D’Gary Wallace has joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Wallace, who graduated from UU earlier this month, will be responsible for coaching the defensive line, as the Dayton native looks to convert his playing success into helping others.
“I’m very excited to start my coaching career at Urbana and I’d like to thank coach Haines and (athletic director) Larry Cox for this great opportunity,” Wallace said. “I’m young in age but extremely confident in my ability to teach the game I love.”
Haines also has plenty of confidence in his latest hire.
“We are excited to announce D’Gary Wallace as our new defensive line coach,” Haines said. “He graduated as one of the most decorated players to ever come through the Blue Knight program, and he will instill energy, passion and relentlessness to the defensive front.”
Wallace knows a thing or two about hard work and the dedication it takes to succeed at the collegiate level. After his days were over at Dunbar High School, Wallace drew very little interest from college coaches and was forced to start his career as a walk-on player at UU.
He earned a scholarship prior to his sophomore year and the rest is history.
Wallace rewrote the record books and was named the school’s 2015-16 Male Athlete of the Year after wrapping up one of the most storied careers in program history.
The lone captain of the UU football team last fall, Wallace was named a second-team All-American linebacker and was voted to the All-Super Region 1 First Team. In addition, he landed on the first-team all-conference squad for the third straight year and ended up as a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award (nation’s top defensive player).
As UU’s all-time tackles leader, he set numerous records including most tackles in a game with 27 against Notre Dame College in his final outing at UU Stadium. He led the entire country in solo tackles (91), ranked second in tackles per game (16.5) and finished third among active career leaders in total tackles (431).
Wallace also brings a teaching background to the UU football staff after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education. He spent time volunteering at Horace Mann Elementary School in Springfield and has been working on staff at an early childhood education center in Springfield over the past few months.
“I hope to pass on the knowledge and opportunities that I once inherited to future Blue Knights,” said Wallace.
