It was reported earlier on Wednesday that Michigan was highly interested in landing Ohio State running backs coach/assistant head coach, Tony Alford. Things moved quickly and sources confirmed that Alford was in fact leaving Ohio State to become the new Michigan running backs coach that was left vacated after Mike Hart would not return to the team in 2024.
It doesn’t happen very often that coaches would leave their current team for the arch-rival. But it has happened. Both Al Washington and Greg Mattison left Michigan for the Buckeyes several years ago, and going years back, Bo Schembecher came to Michigan after spending time with Ohio State — it’s rare is what we’re saying.
Alford will come to Michigan as one of the best running backs coaches in America. He has been a long-tenured coach with the Buckeyes — nine years — and spent years coaching at Notre Dame. Alford was a great running back himself at Colorado State and was an All-American. He is one of the better talent evaluators in the country and will bring his top-notch recruiting to Michigan to begin the 2024 season.
With news trickling in about Alford leaving the Buckeyes to come to Michigan, social media went nuts. Here are some of the best reactions about Alford leaving OSU.
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith
The Michigan Insider’s Zach Shaw
The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb
Maize N Brew’s Trevor Woods
Tom VanHaaren
Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel
M Joe Bean
Ohio State DB Denzel Burke
Michigan Beat
Intent To Deceive
Ohio State DB Jermaine Mathews Jr.
Blue By 88
UM Fan Josh
