“I thought it was a great opportunity for me”: Tony Alford revealed some reasons he joined Michigan

In his first news conference as Michigan’s running backs coach, Tony Alford discussed why he left Columbus for Ann Arbor in March.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for me,” Alford added. “I have enormous regard for (Michigan head coach) Sherrone (Moore). I’ve known him for a while. I just felt it was time. It may have been time for both parties. I do not know. But I felt it was time, and it was a terrific opportunity.”

Welcome @CoachTonyAlford to the greatest university in the world! 〽️#GoBlue | https://t.co/OS2T9UX4eE pic.twitter.com/V1WXYgb46P

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 13, 2024

Alford, dressed in a blue pullover with a maize M logo sewn on his chest, said it felt “weird” to put on Michigan gear after wearing scarlet and gray for the previous nine seasons. Alford was Ohio State’s running backs coach in 2015, making him the second-longest-tenured assistant on the Buckeyes’ staff after defensive line coach Larry Johnson. During his time with the Buckeyes, he helped develop players like Ezekiel Elliott, J.K. Dobbins, and TreVeyon Henderson.

On Wednesday, Alford expressed gratitude to Ohio State’s coaches, players, and fans for their hospitality over the past decade.

“I have to say something. I have a great deal of respect for Ohio State and the Ohio State community, as well as what they have done for myself and my family throughout time. “It was not an easy decision,” Alford explained. “Anytime you spend as long as I did – nine years – some groupings form, both professionally and personally. It was challenging. But, at the end of the day, I figured I couldn’t pass it up. It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

“I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR OHIO STATE AND THE OHIO STATE COMMUNITY AND WHAT THEY PRESENTED TO ME AND MY FAMILY THROUGH THE YEARS. IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION.”

– TONY ALFORD ON LEAVING OHIO STATE FOR MICHIGAN

When asked for a more thorough explanation of his departure from Ryan Day’s staff, Alford declined.

“The people that need to know, they know,” he went on to say. “You make professional decisions that are in your best interests, regardless of the reasons. That’s what I did, and here we are.

As for what impressed him about Michigan, Alford listed the players’ toughness and the staff’s alignment as two of the key reasons he is thrilled to coach for the Wolverines.

“There’s a level of toughness here that’s been established and that’s firm,” Alford said in an interview. “What Sherrone has done in terms of staff alignment, stability, and cohesion has flowed down to the players. That was the only thing that stood out. The crew, particularly the attacking staff, had aligned themselves.

Michigan’s top three running backs will be Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings, and Benjamin Hall. The Wolverines also recruited four-star Jordan Marshall in the 2024 class, a recruit Alford tried to sign while coaching the Buckeyes.

Alford stated that he looks forward to working with the group in spring, summer, and fall.

“They want to be coached.” They want to learn. “They are eager to learn,” he stated. “They play hard.” I believe that is the culture that has been established here. This is a harsh society. It has been a pleasure to observe their practice and how they conduct themselves on a daily basis. I’ve appreciated it.”