Sherrone Moore, Michigan formally announce hiring Ohio State assistant Tony Alford as new RB coach

Ohio State assistant Tony Alford has officially crossed over to enemy lines. Wednesday afternoon, Michigan announced he will be the Wolverines’ next running backs coach.

After spending the last nine seasons with the Buckeyes, Alford will be departing from Ryan Day‘s staff and newly hired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. He will now join Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore in his first season at the helm following three straight wins over Ohio State, three straight Big Ten title wins, and a national championship victory this past season.

“Tony is an elite running backs coach who is an outstanding mentor and example for young men in all aspects of football and life,” Moore said in a statement. “I know that he will have a profound impact on our running back room and football program. We are excited to have Tony and his wife, Trina, and their boys join the Michigan Football Family.”

Alford is regarded as one of the best running back recruiters and coaches in the country, coaching proven NFL pros like Ezekiel Elliott and J.K. Dobbins along with other decorated rushers like Mike Weber and TreVeyon Henderson. With the Buckeyes not boasting a 1,000-yard rusher in just three of his nine seasons in Columbus. Also promoted to run game coordinator and assistant head coach for offense during his tenure at Ohio State.

He’s an Akron, Ohio native who played his college football as a running back at Colorado State. Earning himself a Doak Walker Award nominee after rushing for 1,035 yards in 1989 as a junior for the Rams. Transitioning into coaching following his playing career and spending two seasons as a high school assistant before getting his first shot at the college level at Division III Mount Union.

Alford would go on to make stops at Kent State, Iowa State, Washington, and Louisville all as a running backs coach before landing at Notre Dame. Spending six seasons in numerous roles including running backs coach, wide receivers coach, slot wide receivers coach, and recruiting coordinator for the Fighting Irish before joining the Buckeyes in 2015.

Tony Alford brings over two decades of running back coach experience to the table for the Wolverines, replacing former standout rusher and running backs coach Mike Hart after it was confirmed last week that he would not be returning to Michigan following three seasons with the program.

Given Michigan’s roster and staff turnover following the exit of former head coach Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers and Ohio State’s exciting additions like Kelly and players out of the transfer portal like Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, and Will Howard, Alford’s move is certainly an interesting one. Adding even more intrigue to one of college football’s most heated rivalries and the exciting, new look Big Ten conference this upcoming season.