COLUMBUS, Ohio— When word of Tony Alford’s departure to Michigan first spread, many Ohio State football fans saw an obvious contender for his successor.
Sorry, Eddie George supporters. Tim May, a longtime OSU writer, told X that he contacted the Heisman Trophy winner and current Tennessee State head coach. George stated that he was not interested in returning to coach running backs.
While replacing an assistant after the start of spring practice is inconvenient, it also provides Ryan Day with an opportunity to introduce a new voice to the staff. Alford had been an assistant for nine seasons when Day joined him.
This is already anticipated to be one of the nation’s finest running back positions in 2024, if not the best. TreVeyon Henderson, a four-year starter who was named first-team All-Big Ten last season, will return. Quinshon Judkins transferred in after rushing for more over 2,700 yards in two seasons at Ole Miss. Dallan Hayden has delivered every time he’s been called upon, and few teams can boast their No. 3 back has done so consistently.
With the opportunity to work with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who is no stranger to potent rushing attacks, this position should be highly sought after. Here are some names that could come up as Day hires his fourth assistant coach (including two for offensive coordinator) since the end of last season.
It is unclear what caused Mike Hart’s departure from Michigan. He did not accompany Jim Harbaugh to his first Los Angeles Chargers staff, as many other Wolverine assistants and staffers did. Hart’s contract had ended, and new coach Sherrone Moore did not retain him.
Had Alford gone for another work early in the winter. Hart’s name would almost probably have appeared among the candidates to replace him. However, he is a real Michigan man and the program’s all-time leading rusher. It’s one thing for a longstanding coach like Alford to change sides, but it’s quite another for a true Wolverine or Buckeye to do so.
