Sherrone Moore, alongside Michigan football, recently made a significant move by recruiting Tony Alford from Ohio State to serve as the team’s running backs coach and offensive run game coordinator. Alford, who had been part of the Buckeyes’ coaching staff for the past nine years under both Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, decided to leave Columbus as their spring practices commenced, opting instead to join the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. In his new role, Alford will oversee a talented group of players including Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall, and other promising young talents.
Moore explained the reasoning behind Alford’s recruitment, emphasizing his impressive background both on and off the field. He praised Alford’s extensive résumé, highlighting his abilities as a coach, mentor, and recruiter. Moore also spoke highly of Alford’s character, describing him as an exceptional human being and expressing excitement about having him join the coaching staff.
Alford brings over 25 years of coaching experience to Michigan, having worked at renowned college football programs such as Notre Dame and Ohio State. His tenure at Notre Dame began in 2009 under Charlie Weiss, and he continued with the program when Brian Kelly took over the following year. During his time in South Bend, Alford held various coaching roles, including wide receivers coach, running backs coach, slot receivers coach, receiving coordinator, and recruiting coordinator.
In 2015, Alford made the move to Ohio State, where he served as assistant head coach for offense and running backs coach, later earning a promotion to run game coordinator. Beyond his coaching prowess, Alford is also recognized for his exceptional recruiting skills, which are expected to be a valuable asset to Moore and his coaching staff at Michigan.
Moore emphasized the importance of Alford’s diverse experiences, noting that they bring a fresh perspective to the team. He highlighted the value of incorporating different viewpoints and strategies, suggesting that it’s essential to be open to change and adaptation in coaching approaches. Despite the departure of Mike Hart, a revered figure in Michigan football history who held the all-time rushing record for the Wolverines, Moore expressed gratitude for Hart’s contributions while focusing on the excitement surrounding Alford’s arrival.
With the Wolverines kicking off spring practice on March 18, Alford’s addition to the coaching staff marks a significant development for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. His wealth of experience, combined with his strong coaching abilities and recruiting expertise, positions Michigan to enhance its offensive strategies and further strengthen its football program.
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