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Wayne State University Athletics

Chris Calley

Chris Calley

Updated January 6, 2022
  • Concluded fourth year at WSU in November of 2021
  • Tutored 16 Academic All-GLIAC selections in his four years
  • Mentored four All-GLIAC honorees in three seasons (2018, 2019 and 2021)
  • 2021 was his 12th year coaching in the college ranks (spent 2014 at a high school)

Chris Calley joined the Wayne State University football coaching staff in August of 2018 and served as the wide receivers coach for the fourth consecutive year in 2021.  He was also named Special Teams Coordinator in the spring of 2021.

During the 2021 season, he tutored First Team All-GLIAC wide receiver Tre Davis, whose 18.1 yards per catch was first in the league.  WSU ranked second in the GLIAC in yards per completion (13.1) and fourth in scoring (24.1 points per game).  Calley also had six of his student-athletes received Academic All-GLIAC recognition for 2021, with Eli Haddad earning All-Academic Excellence honors for maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

He mentored four Academic All-GLIAC honorees in 2020-21, including two (Darrin King II and Kyle Lewis) who were on the Excellence Team.

In addition to tutoring First Team All-GLIAC honoree Darece Roberson, Jr. in 2019, his kickoff return unit ranked 13th nationally (23.91 yards per return), while his punt coverage group was 15th in Division 2 allowing just 3.57 yards per return.

Roberson was a GLIAC All-Academic recipient along with Nolan Kimmey, with Roberson being voted the squad's Special Teams Most Valuable Player.  Roberson ranked 12th nationally in yards per catch (20.76).  In addition, true freshman wide receiver Trevonte Davis was the co-Offensive Rookie of the Year for WSU.

His kickoff return unit led the GLIAC (for league games only) with a 25.8 yards per return average and Wayne State was second in passing touchdowns (13), while compiling a 7-1 league record.

During his inaugural season with the Warriors in 2018, he mentored two All-GLIAC players in Second Team honoree Roberson and Honorable Mention selection Kyle Lewis.  Roberson was fifth nationally in yards per catch (21.44 / min. 25 catches), while WSU ranked 39th in Division 2 in yards per completion 13.74.  Calley's wide receivers corps combined for 74 catches, 1,122 receiving yards and nine of the 12 receiving touchdowns.  In addition, four of his players received Academic All-GLIAC recognition, including three on the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team (Corey Ester, Shane Holler and Logan Smith).

Calley came to WSU after spending 2017 as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Lindenwood-Belleville.  Prior to joining the Lynx, he was the defensive backs coach, recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator at Urbana University for two seasons (2015 and 2016).

In 2014, Calley served as the defensive coordinator at Chandler Park Academy helping the Eagles to the Charter School Conference Championship, after spending the three previous years at Adrian College.  He began as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator in 2011, then served as co-defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator the next two seasons (2012 and 2013).

The Bulldogs compiled a 23-8 overall record in those three years and won a league title in 2012.  In 2011, Calley mentored First Team All-MIAA selection Bryan Garbarino and Second Team All-MIAA pick Keman Jacobs.  Adrian ranked seventh nationally and first in the MIAA in pass efficiency defense (89.28).  In addition, Adrian ranked 16th nationally and first in the MIAA in scoring defense (14.2 points per game), and the pass defense ranked 14th nationally and first in the MIAA allowing 138.2 yards per contest through the air.

In 2012, the Bulldogs had one of the best secondary's in school history based on the numbers.  Adrian allowed just one passing touchdown in conference play and ranked first in the MIAA and 14th in NCAA Division III in pass defense (150.55 yards per game).  In addition, AC led the MIAA and were 34th nationally in pass efficiency defense (107.53).  The defensive backs recorded three interceptions during league action in 2012.

He began his coaching career as a student assistant coach working with the cornerbacks at AC in 2009, followed by a one-year stint as wide receivers coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2010.  He helped produce All-American Jared Jenkins as well as two other Pointers who received First Team All-WIAC honors.

Calley graduated from Adrian in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in International Business, where he was a standout cornerback for the Bulldogs and also excelled on the track.

On the football field, Calley started all 10 games as a junior and senior.  He recorded 20 tackles, three interceptions and five pass breakups as a junior and followed that with 22 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups as a senior.  He was named First Team All-MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) as a senior.

Calley was a member of three consecutive MIAA champion 4x100 meter relay teams in 2007-2009 earning First Team All-MIAA in 2007 (42.03), 2008 (42.05) and 2009.  He was the MIAA Male Track Athlete of the Year in 2009 after winning the 400m dash (49.66) and the 4x100m relay (42.44).  Calley also won the 200m (22.08) at the MIAA Jamboree.  He broke the school record in the 200 meters and also in the 4x100 meter relay during his time at Adrian.

A 2004 graduate of Warren Lincoln High School, Calley is engaged to Abbey Pett, and has a six-year-old son Britton and a one-year-old son Madden.