One of the more notable coaching transitions during college football’s offseason occurred when Tony Alford departed Ohio State to assume the role of running backs coach at arch-rival Michigan. This move not only marked the departure of the Buckeyes’ second-longest tenured football assistant but also signified the acquisition of a seasoned coaching presence by the Wolverines amidst significant changes within the program.
Alford cited various factors that influenced his decision to join Michigan, emphasizing the perceived professional growth opportunities and his admiration for Michigan’s head coach, Sherrone Moore, whom he has known for an extended period.
Regarding his departure from Ohio State, Alford acknowledged that it may have been a timely decision for both parties. Despite the prospect of leading one of college football’s most talented running back groups at Ohio State, including the return of veteran TreVeyon Henderson and the addition of highly touted transfer Quinshon Judkins, who excelled in the SEC at Ole Miss, Alford opted for the opportunity to oversee the running backs at Michigan, a program that recently secured the national championship title and is poised for competition in an expanded Big Ten landscape for the 2024 season.
