Charley Wiles

  • Charley
  • Wiles

  • Defensive Line Coach
The Wiles File
Experience: 29th season, 22nd at Virginia Tech
Hometown: DeLand, Fla.
High School: DeLand (1983)
College: Murray State (1987); Virginia Tech (1989)
Playing Exp: Murray State (1983-86)
Family: Wife – Andrea; Son – Eric, Daughter – Kendell (a member of the track and field squad at Indiana)
Twitter:

Coaching History
YearSchoolPosition
1996- Virginia TechDefensive Line
1995Murray StateCo-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1993-94Murray StateLinebackers
1992Murray StateRunning Backs
1990-91Murray StateDefensive Ends
1989East Tennessee StateOffensive Line
1987-88Virginia TechGraduate Assistant

Bowl Games/Playoffs Coached (22)
2016Virginia TechBelk
2015Virginia TechIndependence
2014Virginia TechMilitary
2013Virginia TechSun
2012Virginia TechRussell Athletic
2011Virginia TechSugar
2010Virginia TechOrange
2009Virginia TechChick-fil-A
2008Virginia TechOrange
2007Virginia TechOrange
2006Virginia TechChick-fil-A
2005Virginia TechGator
2004Virginia TechSugar
2003Virginia TechInsight
2002Virginia TechSan Francisco
2001Virginia TechGator
2000Virginia TechGator
1999Virginia TechSugar
1998Virginia TechMusic City
1997Virginia TechGator
1996Virginia TechOrange
1995Murray StateDivision I-AA Playoffs

Playoff Games Played (1)
1986Division I-AA PlayoffsMurray State

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Enters his 22nd season coaching Virginia Tech’s defensive line, making him the second-longest tenured member of the Virginia Tech staff behind only associate head coach/defensive coordinator Bud Foster who joined the Hokies in 1987. 
  • The productivity and consistency of Virginia Tech’s defensive front have been hallmarks of Tech’s vaunted “Lunch Pail Defense” over the years, thanks in large part to Wiles.
  • Dating back to 1996 when Wiles began his tenure coaching Tech’s defensive line, the Hokies have registered 781.0 sacks, the highest total of any team in the nation over that span.
  • The Hokies also own best mark of any Power Five squad on third down since 1996, limiting opponents to a 31.4-percent conversion rate. Only Michigan (21.0) ranked better in that department than Virginia Tech (27.5) in 2016.
  • The ability of Wiles’ linemen to put pressure on the passer also helps explain why Virginia Tech has forced an FBS-best 360 interceptions during his tenure in Blacksburg. In 2016, Tech ranked fifth among Power Five squads, limiting opponents to a completion percentage of a mere 50.1 percent.
  • With Wiles helping Foster devise schemes to stop the run, Tech has permitted an average of 116.6 rushing ypg dating back to 1996 to rank sixth nationally.
  • Since he joined Tech as defensive line coach, only Alabama (16.4 ppg) and Ohio State (16.5 ppg) own stingier scoring defenses over the past 20 seasons than Virginia Tech (17.7).
  • Led by All-ACC DT Woody Baron (18.5 TFLs), the Hokies ranked fourth among Power Five defenses with 113.0 tackles for loss in 2016.
  • Baron (Dallas), DE Ken Ekanem (Denver) and DT Nigel Wiliams (Buffalo) all signed as NFL free agents in 2017.
  • Has coached five All-America selections – Cornell Brown (1995 & 1996), Corey Moore (1998 & 1999), John Engelberger (1999), Darryl Tapp (2005) and David Pugh (2001).
  • The most highly-decorated member of that group was Moore, who became the first-ever Tech defender to earn unanimous All-America honors in 1999.
  • Moore also earned the 1999 Bronco Nagurski Award as the college football’s defensive player of the year while also taking home the Lombardi Award as the national lineman of the year as the Hokies tied for the national lead with 58.0 sacks and advanced to the national championship game. 
  • Under his tutelage, 26 different Virginia Tech defensive linemen have earned all-conference honors. In 2015, Luther Maddy (second team), Dadi Nicolas (third team) and Corey Marshall (honorable mention) continued Wiles’ trend of producing All-ACC performers as Tech extended its string of consecutive bowl berths to 23 straight years.
  • In 2014, his linemen helped contribute 26.0 sacks as the Hokies ranked second among Power Five squads with 48.0 sacks.
  • Behind second-team All-ACC pick, Derrick Hopkins, Tech ranked 10th nationally in rushing defense (110.9 ypg) and tied for eighth with 39.0 sacks in 2013 as all four starting linemen were represented on an All-ACC squad.
  • His front was part of a 2011 defense that ranked seventh in the country in scoring defense (17.6 ppg) and 10th in total defense (304.6 ypg).
  • Tech claimed the ACC title in 2010 as the Hokies led the nation with a +19 turnover differential (32 takes/13 gives) and ranked second among FBS squads with 23 INTs.
  • In 2006, Virginia Tech led the nation in scoring defense (11.0 ppg), total defense (219.5 ypg) and pass defense (128.2 ypg).
  • Wiles’ 2005 defensive line was led by first-team All-America Darryl Tapp who helped Tech lead the nation in total defense (247.6 ypg) and rank second in the nation in scoring defense (12.9 ppg). 
  • Tech won the ACC title during its debut season in 2004 when its defense ranked second nationally in scoring defense (12.8 ppg) and came in fourth in both total defense (268.0 ypg) and pass defense (152.8 ypg).
  • The Sporting News ranked Tech’s 2001 defensive line coached by Wiles as the fourth-best in the nation.
  • In 1999, Corey Moore was chosen the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive year as The Sporting News rated Tech’s defensive front the best in the college football as the Hokies rattled off an undefeated regular season behind the nation’s stingiest scoring defense (10.5 ppg).
  • Under Wiles’ guidance, one-time walk-on John Engelberger earned All-BIG EAST honors in both 1997 and 1998 before earning second team All-America honors from the AP in 1999.
  • Wiles embarked on his two-decade career coaching the defensive line at Tech in 1996 when his star pupil was All-America defensive end Cornell Brown.
  • As co-defensive coordinator at Murray State in 1995, he helped lead the Racers to an 11-0 regular-season mark and a berth in the Division I-AA playoffs.
  • Originally began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Hokies in 1987, Frank Beamer’s first season as Tech’s head coach.

PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wiles won Kodak Division I-AA All-America honors as an offensive lineman at Murray State in 1986 playing under Frank Beamer, who served as the Racers’ head coach.
  • Is one of three former Murray State players on the current Tech coaching staff, joining head coach Justin Fuente and associate head coach/defensive coordinator, Bud Foster.

PROMINENT PUPILS

  • Cornell Brown – D6-1997 – Baltimore Ravens (1997-2004) Super Bowl XXXV Champions
  • Chris Ellis – D3-2008 – Buffalo Bills (2008-10); Steelers (2010-11)
  • John Engelberger – D2-2000 – San Francisco 49ers (2000-04); Broncos (2005-08)
  • Darryl Tapp – D2-2006 – Seattle Seahawks, Eagles, Redskins, Lions, Saints (2006-16)
  • Jason Worilds – D2-2010 – Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-14)