Michigan announces death of longtime athletics administrator, life coach Greg Harden

Former Michigan athletics administrator and renowned life and mental coach Greg Harden has died, the school announced. Harden was in his 70s.

Harden was hospitalized after going in for a procedure on Monday, the university announced on Thursday. A day later, it was announced that Harden, who worked with countless athletes at Michigan and beyond in his career, had died.

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“Long-time University of Michigan administrator Greg Harden, best known as the mental coach for thousands of student-athletes who competed for the university and countless others around the world, has passed away after complications from surgery. During his time at Michigan, Harden became known in many circles as the school’s ‘Secret Weapon’ for his work behind the scenes helping Wolverines athletes achieve peak performances,” a statement from Michigan said.

Harden is survived by his wife, Shelia, and their three adult children — Brian, Victor and Olivia — as well as his sister, Lynette.

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The statement from Michigan also asked that the family’s privacy be respected for now.

“In the future, they look forward to celebrating Greg’s life with many who were blessed to know him,” the statement said.

Harden’s role in the athletic department at Michigan was, generally, one worked behind the scenes. As an associate athletic director overseeing athlete health and welfare for decades, he helped some of the best athletes to come through Ann Arbor reach their peaks, first joining the staff in 1986. He worked with the Wolverines for 24 years, officially retiring in 2019.

From Jalen Rose to Tom Brady to Michael Phelps — and countless of Wolverines in between — Harden played a role in helping countless athletes train their minds just as they would their bodies. And many of the athletes and coaches he counseled offer rave reviews for how Harden helped them elevate their performance.

“If Greg Harden wasn’t at the University of Michigan, I don’t win the Heisman,” former Michigan wide receiver and 1991 Heisman winner Desmond Howard said in a clip used to advertised Harden’s book.

Eventually, his work earned Harden a spotlight, as he was profiled by 60 Minutes in 2014, delving into his work as “Michigan’s secret weapon” for athletic success.

He also recently published his aforementioned book, Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive, that first hit shelves in August 2023.

While Harden officially retired from his role with the university in 2019, he remained close with the various programs at Michigan, working as a consultant for the athletic department.

He began his career working blue-collar jobs in the metro-Detroit area before getting into counseling and working for a drug treatment program, eventually earning his master’s in social work from Michigan while working as a clinical therapist. Shortly after Harden earned his master’s, he was brought in by Bo Schembechler to work with the Michigan football team, and the rest was history for Harden.