The coaching carousel for Michigan football has just become more fascinating.
The Wolverines officially hired Tony Alford, a former Ohio State assistant, on Wednesday afternoon to serve as the
team’s running backs coach and coordinator of the run game. Alford played for the Buckeyes for the previous nine
years before switching to maize and blue instead of scarlet and gray.
Sherrone Moore, the coach of Michigan, released a statement stating, “Tony is an elite running backs coach who is an
outstanding mentor and example for young men in all aspects of football and life.” “I am confident that he will have a
significant influence on our football program and running back room. The addition of Tony, his wife Trina, and their
sons to the Michigan Football Family makes us very happy.
Alford coached wide receivers and running backs at Notre Dame for four seasons before taking on the roles of
assistant head coach for offense and running backs coach at Ohio State. He was promoted to assistant head coach at
Iowa State after serving as the running backs coach there for nine years before to joining the Irish. Alford also had a
brief stint as a running backs coach at Louisville and Washington.
With 31 years of collegiate coaching experience under his belt, he adds a wealth of expertise to a Wolverines coaching
staff full of fresh talent. Alford became the Irish’s coordinator of recruitment in his third season.
Following the recent resignation of former running backs coach Mike Hart, Michigan moved swiftly. Just in time for
spring practice, the Wolverines have concluded their coaching staff with the addition of Alford. Michigan is hoping
that Alford, with young talent and a potent returner in Donovan Edwards, will bolster a running back unit that has
lost its leader in Blake Corum.
In their most recent meeting with Ohio State, the Wolverines’ running backs have had standout performances;
Alford will now want to assist them maintain that success. When November rolls around, the former Buckeye will
switch to the sidelines in an attempt to lead Michigan past its fiercest foe four times in a row.
