Terrence Isaac, Sr. has been appointed as the 21st head football coach in the history of Wayne State University football, a program that dates back to 1918.
Wayne State Director of Athletics Erika Wallace commented on the appointment: “Terrence brings a strong background in developing student-athletes and building programs grounded in consistency and care. His experience across multiple levels of football, combined with his people-centered approach, make him a great fit for Wayne State. We are excited to welcome him to Detroit in the coming days.”
Isaac joins the Warriors after four seasons as head coach at Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota, where he led the Yellowjackets to an 18-6 record in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). During his tenure, Rochester won MCAC titles in both 2023 and 2025. The team reached the national championship game in 2023, averaging nearly 32 points per game that season. Isaac was named co-MCAC Coach of the Year twice and received NJCAA National Coach of the Year honors in 2023.
“I’m very excited to start this journey,” said Isaac. “I’m looking forward to getting started. This is a great University and I’m extremely humbled by the opportunity.”
Before coaching at Rochester, Isaac served as head coach and athletic director at Vermilion Community College in Minnesota and Green Oaks High School in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Media availability for Coach Isaac will be held Saturday during Wayne State basketball games against Michigan Tech at WSU Fieldhouse. Media interested in interviewing Isaac are asked to contact WSU Sports Information Director Jeff Weiss via email. Additionally, WSU Football Alumni have been invited to meet with Coach Isaac on Saturday.
Isaac’s coaching career includes leading A+ Academy Charter School in Dallas to a Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League state title during his time there from 2014-2016 and serving as assistant varsity coach for Cedar Hill High School. He began his head coaching career at StoneGate Christian Academy in Irving, Texas.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Isaac played college football at Vermilion Community College—where he earned NJCAA All-American honors—and later at Texas A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State University. He was inducted into both the MCAC Hall of Fame (2019) and West Tech Hall of Fame (2014). In addition to his collegiate achievements, he played professionally in Arena Football leagues with Indiana and San Jose after training camp stints with NFL teams Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs.
Isaac has also contributed off the field through involvement with mentoring programs such as Dad for Life Mentoring Program since 2008. He holds degrees in business and athletics administration.
The Wayne State Warriors men’s football team competes at the NCAA Division II level within the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), playing its home games in Detroit, Michigan according to official sources. The program achieved national runner-up status in NCAA Division II play in 2011 as documented by its official website, uses green and gold as its colors per university records, and operates under intercollegiate athletics guidelines from official information.
Isaac lives with his wife Candice; they have two daughters (Amayah and Kaiya), one son (Terrence Jr.), and one grandson (Amari).
