Key Ohio State assistant expected to join Michigan staff with Mike Hart not retained as running backs coach

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is on the verge of adding another intriguing layer with the Wolverines expected to hire Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford to the same position, 247Sports confirms. Alford is in line to replace Mike Hart, who will not return to UM’s staff under first-year coach Sherrone Moore.

Alford isn’t just any position coach, either. He has been a mainstay at Ohio State since landing with the program in 2015, having served under both Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, and helped develop some of the top running back rooms in college football. Under Alford’s watch, four Ohio State running backs have landed in the NFL Draft, with Miyan Williams likely to join the list this spring. And the Buckeyes’ 2024 running back room — featuring former No. 1 running back recruit TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins — could have been Alford’s best yet in Columbus, Ohio. 

Instead, Alford is sliding over to the other side of a bitter rivalry to join Moore’s staff. The Wolverines have boasted one of the nation’s elite running back rooms of their own over the past several years, headlined by unanimous All-American and College Football Playoff National Championship MVP Blake Corum. 

Touted running back Donovan Edwards returns to school in 2024 with senior Kalel Mullings providing depth. The Wolverines also added four-star recruit Jordan Marshall, the No. 12 running back in the Class of 2024. 

While Michigan promoted Moore internally, the staff has seen several new additions. Veteran NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale leads a brand new defensive staff after the bulk of assistants followed former coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. However, Alford will join tight ends coach Steve Casula as the only new additions on offense.