Michigan Football Officially Announces The Hiring Of Tony Alford
hire of Tony Alford as running backs coach/run game coordinator on Wednesday afternoon.
Alford joins the Wolverines after spending the last nine seasons at Ohio State under head coaches Urban Meyer and Ryan Day. He was going through spring practices with the Buckeyes prior to joining Moore’s coaching staff at Michigan
“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 spent the last nine seasons at Ohio State as the team’s running backs coach and assistant head coach on offense under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day. During his time there, he coached four 1,000-plus yard rushers in Ezekiel Elliott, Mike Weber, JK Dobbins and Treveyon Henderson. He was expected to lead a Buckeye room this year that featured Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins, who many expect to be the best running back duo in the country.
Prior to his time at Ohio State, Alford spent six seasons at Notre Dame. Other stops in his coaching career included Mount Union, Kent State, Iowa State, Washington and Louisville. He is considered one of the best recruiters at the position in college football, and is a potential home run addition for Moore’s staff.
Michigan’s running back room in 2024 is set to feature Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings, Cole Cabana, Benjamin Hall, Tavierre Dunlap and true freshmen Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka’apana. Marshall was Michigan’s top-ranked signee in the 2024 class out of Ohio, and the Wolverines held off Alford and the Buckeyes for his services during the recruiting process.
Michigan’s offensive coaching staff is comprised of Alford, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell, wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Ron Bellamy, tight ends coach Steve Casula and offensive line coach Grant Newsome.
