COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford is leaving to join Michigan's coaching staff. Alford will become the Wolverines' next running backs coach under head coach Sherrone Moore.
Alford has been the team's assistant head coach for offense and running backs coach since 2015.
Alford would replace Mike Hart, the former Wolverines star who had been running backs coach under coach Jim Harbaugh for three seasons.
During his nine years with the Buckeyes, Alford has recruited and coached four running backs who have ran for at least 1,000 yards in a season - Ezekiel Elliott (2015), Mike Weber (2016), J.K. Dobbins (2017, 2018 and 2019) and TreVeyon Henderson (2021). Henderson was 76 yards short of securing his second 1,000-yard season in 2023.
Ohio State ran for 1,805 yards this past season, good for only eighth in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes were top five in the conference in every other year under Alford except for 2018.
Alford posted a statement on social media thanking Ohio State and its fans for nine “amazing” years, but he did not indicate his next move.
“All that being said, as I will undoubtedly miss so many things about being a member of the Buckeye Football Family, I am excited about what the future holds as I embark on the next chapter of this journey,” Alford posted.
Alford came to Ohio State following a six-year stay at Notre Dame where he worked under Charlie Weiss and Brian Kelly.
Under Kelly, he coached wide receivers in 2010 and 2011 before returning to backs from 2012-14.
He’s also made coaching stops at Louisville (2006-08), Iowa State (2002-06 and 1997-2000), Washington (2001), Kent State (1996) and Mount Union (1995).
Born in Akron, Alford went to high school in Colorado Springs, Colo. and played at Colorado State.
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