The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2024 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan head coach Sherrone Mo o re co m p l e te d h i s s ta f f March 14 with a shot heard 'round the Big Ten world and beyond. Days after it was revealed legacy, legend and running backs coach Mike Hart wouldn't return in his role, which included run game co- ordinator, Moore announced Ohio State assistant Tony Alford would replace him. Alford, a nine-year veteran with the Buckeyes, held the same position at OSU in addition to having the title of assistant head coach. He coached under both Urban Meyer and Ryan Day and was going through spring practices with the Buckeyes prior to joining Moore's coaching staff at Michigan. "Tony is an elite running backs coach who is an outstanding mentor and ex- ample for young men in all aspects of football and life," Moore said in a state- ment. "I know that he will have a pro- found impact on our running back room and football program. We are excited to have Tony and his wife, Trina, and their boys join the Michigan football family." Alford coached four 1,000-plus yard rushers in Ezekiel Elliott, Mike Weber, JK Dobbins and TreVeyon Henderson. He was expected to lead an OSU room this year that featured Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins, who many expect to be the best running back duo in the country. Instead, he inherits a Michigan run- ning back room with plenty of its own potential, starting with senior Dono- van Edwards, one of the heroes of the national championship game with two long touchdown runs. In addition, graduate Kalel Mullings, sophomores Cole Cabana and Benjamin Hall, senior Tavierre Dunlap and true freshmen Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka'apana all will vie for time this year. Marshall was Michigan's top-ranked signee in the 2024 class and came out of Ohio prep powerhouse Cincinnati Arch- bishop Moeller. The Wolverines held off Alford and the Buckeyes for Marshall's services during the recruiting process. He was one of those who was ecstatic with the hire, telling reporters he had a great relationship with Alford and couldn't wait to be coached by him. "We were both very upset when I broke the news that I wasn't going to Ohio State, but God has a plan, and his plan was for Coach Alford to be my coach," Marshall told The Wolverine. "I'm super excited to be coached by him. Coach Al- ford and I have such a special bond. "I'm so thankful Coach Moore got the best guys possible for the job. Now, we both have something to prove. Go Blue." Alford is known as a relationship builder and a "tough but fair" players coach. He thanked Ohio State athlet- ics director Gene Smith, Meyer and Day in his farewell social media posts, but saved most of it for the OSU players he coached. "To the most important people, the players. You guys have had such an amazing impact on me, not only as a coach, but also as a father and as a man," he wrote. "I thank you and your families so much for allowing me to be a small part of your journey. I can only hope that I made half as much an impact on you all as you have on me. "Watching so many of you grow to become the men that you have become makes me so proud. Thank you guys, and I hope and pray that all of your suc- cesses are as great as your dreams and goals. "All of that being said, as I will un- doubtedly miss so many things about being a member of the Buckeye football family, I am excited about what the fu- ture holds as I embark on the next chap- ter of this journey." Michigan is getting a good one, said Andy Backstrom of Lettermen Row, the Ohio State On3.com site. Although Al- ford hadn't hit on all his running back targets on the recruiting trail lately, he still pulled in several blue chippers dur- ing his tenure. "He's a good position coach, and he's helped [OSU's] Miyan Williams develop into a guy that maybe has a shot at a flyer in training camp in the NFL. He's helped TreVeyon Henderson become one of the best running backs in the country," Backstrom said. "J.K. Dobbins was one of the best running backs in Ohio State history. "There's definitely a good résumé for him with the backs he helped at Ohio State throughout his time there and bridging the gap between the Urban Meyer and the Ryan Day eras. But the recruiting — especially recently — held him back some. And for Ryan Day, that's the biggest evaluation point right now." At the same time, Day probably ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Shocker: Ohio State Assistant Replaces Mike Hart As Running Backs Coach After spending nine years coaching the Buckeyes' running backs, Tony Alford joined Michigan as run game coordinator March 14. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY