Deatrich Wise is in his second season as the Desperados OL/DL/FB/LB coach after obtaining the position on Jan. 27, 2007. Wise also serves as the team's Director of Player Programs, working closely with the players in polishing up their resumes and interview skills for internships and offseason jobs. Wise brings 10 years of indoor football coaching experience to Dallas after serving as the af2's Norfolk NightHawks head coach (1999-2001), an assistant with the Grand Rapids Rampage (1999-2000) and as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm (1992-95).

In 2007 Wise's defensive linemen tallied 12.0 of the defense's 18.0 sacks led by All-Arena First Team selection Colston Weatherington who had 10.0 sacks, which ranked second in the league. His linebackers, led by All-Arena and All-Ironman honoree Duke Pettijohn, picked up the remaining sacks as Pettijohn's 6.0 sacks tied him for 11th in league rankings. Under Wise's tutelage, the offensive line held opposing defenses to a league-low four sacks, allowing quarterback Clint Dolezel to complete 375-of-533 passes (70.4%) for 4,475 yards and a club record107 touchdowns. His offensive line also helped pave the way for fullback Josh White to finish the season as the third-leading rusher in the league, compiling 278 yards on 93 carries (3.0 avg.) with 10 touchdowns.

Wise was the head football coach at Portsmouth, Va., High School for three years (2004-06), and coached track and field and football (2001-03) for the Norfolk Public Schools System before landing at Portsmouth.

Wise was the head coach for the af2's Norfolk (Va.) NightHawks (2000-01). He was named the club's inaugural head coach on September 10, 1999, and in two seasons led the team to an 11-11 record.

After a four-year absence from the AFL, Wise was an assistant OL/DL coach for the Grand Rapids Rampage (1999-2000). In his first season with the club, his defense was tops in sacks (19) and second in the league in rushing yards allowed (13.0 yards-per-game).

Before his return to the AFL, Wise was an assistant coach at Delaware State University (1997-99). Prior to his stint at Delaware State, he coached football and track for the Birmingham Public Schools System (1996-97). He was also the assistant coordinator for the Olympic Games of 1996 for the Birmingham Youth Soccer League while also coaching the offensive line for the Birmingham All-Star Classic football game. In 1995, he was a health science and physical education teacher for the Alabama State Department of Youth Services.

Wise made his AFL coaching debut as the OL/DL coach for the Tampa Bay Storm (1994-95). In his first year, the Storm finished second in the league in rushing offense (45.6 yards-per-game) and third in scoring (470 points). In 1995, his unit was second in scoring offense (50.4 points-per-game) and first in scoring defense (34.3), while leading the league in rushing offense (38.8 yards-per-game) and leading the league in sacks (26) and finishing second in total defense (211.1) en route to an ArenaBowl IX championship.

He was a defensive lineman for the Storm (1992-1993), helping Tampa Bay to an ArenaBowl VII championship in 1993 by finishing first on the team, tied for second in the league, with 6.5 sacks. As an AFL rookie in 1992, Wise was second on the Storm with 5.0 sacks.

Before playing in the AFL, Wise was an assistant coach - offensive and defensive line and special teams - at Jackson State (1992-93).

Prior to hitting the coaching ranks, Wise enjoyed a four-year playing career as a defensive lineman for the British Columbia Lions of the CFL (1989-91), the New Orleans Saints (1989) and the Seattle Seahawks (1988). He was selected in the ninth round (242nd overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft by Seattle after a collegiate career at Alabama State and Jackson (Miss.) State University.

Wise and his wife, Sheila, have three sons: Deatrich Jr. Daniel, and Solomon.