The Michigan Wolverines have made a new hire to their football program. On Wednesday afternoon, Michigan hired a new running backs coach. Tony Alford was recently coaching running backs at Ohio State. This is said to be a steal for the Michigan Wolverines under a new coaching staff. Head coach Sherrone Moore is solidifying who he wants on his staff for the 2024 college football season.
Michigan Wolverines Hire New RB Coach From Rival Opponent
Welcome @CoachTonyAlford to the greatest university in the world! ??#GoBlue | https://t.co/OS2T9UX4eE pic.twitter.com/V1WXYgb46P
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 13, 2024
The Michigan Wolverines are making moves for the upcoming season. Former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has left for the National Football League to the Los Angeles Chargers. Sherrone Moore has taken the position of head coach after Harbaugh’s departure. Tony Alford was with the Ohio State Buckeyes for nine seasons.
Alford has developed running backs such as Ezekiel Elliot, Mike Weber, J.K. Dobbins, and recently TreyVeon Henderson. Three of the players listed have gone on to the NFL over those nine years after being coached by Tony Alford. Now, the former Ohio State running backs coach is replacing a Michigan Wolverines legend in Mike Hart, who was there from 2021-2023 as an assistant under Jim Harbaugh.
Michigan Wolverines Replacing Mike Hart As RB Coach
Mike Hart coached for the Michigan Wolverines in the last three seasons. More notably, he helped develop backs like Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards in those years. Many fans thought of Corum as a running back who was very similar to Hart in his playing days. As a shifty, elusive back who made cuts that would leave defenders off balance.
This resulted in the Michigan Wolverines winning the Big Ten Conference in three consecutive seasons and finally winning a National Championship for the first time in 26 years. Hart played for the Michigan Wolverines from 2004-2007 and became the all-time rushing leader in program history. Last season, Blake Corum broke the record for the most touchdowns with (58) in his collegiate career, passing Hart, who had (42). Corum reached fifth all-time as a Michigan Wolverines running back during his tenure.
Now Donovan Edwards is entering his final season with the program as he chose to come back and try to repeat as division, conference, and national champions in 2024!
Michigan Wolverines Going Into 2024
Last season, Sherrone Moore acted as the interim head coach for six games. Harbaugh was suspended due to violations with the Michigan Wolverines that were self-imposed, along with being given by the NCAA. During those six contests, Moore was successful as the Michigan Wolverines came out victorious. This included their win against the Ohio State Buckeyes back at the end of November in 2023.
The Buckeyes football program has not had luck against the Michigan Wolverines in the past three seasons. Head coach Ryan Day has lost twice on the road in Ann Arbor and one time in the Horseshoe in 2022. Tony Alford has decided to leave, possibly believing that the Buckeyes are headed on the wrong path moving forward.
Players for Michigan are choosing to return to the team in hopes of accomplishing more goals under their new head coach. Michigan is getting closer to establishing its staff under new leadership, but consistency on the field is key to keeping any program on top in college football. Alford will be getting a taste of the rivalry from the other side with the Wolverines in 2024!
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James has been a sports writer for 2 years. He is a close follower of College Sports, the NFL, and MLB—a fan of the Michigan Wolverines, Green Bay Packers, and the Atlanta Braves.
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