The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2024 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS MICHIGAN MOURNS LOSS OF GREG HARDEN The U-M community is mourning after the loss of longtime administrator Greg Harden at age 75. Best known as a mental coach for U-M athletes and a confidant to coaches and others in administration, Harden passed away on Sept. 12 due to complications from a surgical procedure earlier in the week. Harden was at Michigan from 1986-2020 as the associate athletic director and director of athletic counseling, but he continued to work with athletes — including the football team — during the last few years. He also spent the last three seasons as the peak performance coach for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. "There is no one better than Greg Harden, and we are devastated as a Michigan family by this news," athletics director Warde Manuel said. "Greg has positively impacted the lives of so many student-athletes, coaches, and staff at Michigan. He made an unbelievable impact on my life. I am grateful and lucky to have had him in my life for the past 40 years. I will be forever indebted to Greg for all that he did to help shape me into the person that I am today." Several tributes and reflections came out after news of his passing became public. "To me personally, he was more than a friend," head football coach Sher- rone Moore said. "Greg was a mentor, confidant and a big brother who would tell us what we needed to hear and guided us through any situation, big or small. He was an incredible human in every way and pushed us all to be great mentally. I loved him dearly and would not be in this position today without his guidance. He will be missed dearly!" Former U-M head coach and Los Angeles Chargers leader Jim Harbaugh weighed in: "Greg Harden's purpose in life, as he often talked about, was helping others discover their own. His perspective was unlike anyone I've ever met, and his wisdom was unparalleled. Greg was a human backboard, a go-to guy in every way. From my playing days at Michigan, until I woke up today and learned of his passing, he was always there for me. His words, compassion, love, and care will always be there for me, and I'm not unique in saying that — thousands of Wolverines would tell you the same thing." "Sad to hear we lost another fabulous leader today," former men's basket- ball head coach John Beilein (2007-19) said on social media. "Greg Harden and I worked side by side for many years to build a winning culture [with Michigan basketball]. Greg had a life-changing positive effect on so many U-M student-athletes. RIP Greg, your legacy will live forever in those you touched!" Seven-time Super Bowl champion and current Fox broadcaster Tom Brady was among the former Wolverine players to weigh in on the loss of Harden. "I'm so sad to hear the news of Greg's passing," he said. "I'm heartbroken as he was a dear friend and mentor. There are so many beautiful qualities Greg had that endeared him to so many people over his years at Michigan. He meant the world to me, and I could never have had the success I had without the time, energy, love and support he had given me. He will be truly missed." Jaden Brown, who played for the women's tennis team from 2020-24 and is now a student assistant coach, shared her experiences and tribute to Harden. "Greg has been there for me and both my parents as athletes, but more importantly, as people," she said. "Through my family's best and worst times, Greg was present with a comforting big smile on his face. My father, Corwin Brown, reminded me that, 'Greg always put others first. He was more con- cerned with how you as an individual were doing,' and those statements are something I got to experience with Greg. He was a true Michigan man and demonstrated that to everyone he encountered." — Anthony Broome MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK Harden was at Michigan from 1986-2020 as the associate athletic director and director of athletic counseling, but he continued to work with ath- letes — including the football team — over the last few years. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS