The implications of Tony Alford’s move to Michigan on Ohio State football
In Columbus, Ohio, the Ohio State football program faced a significant shake-up during just the second week of spring practice.
Tony Alford, the longest-serving offensive assistant under Ryan Day’s leadership, is departing to take on the role of run game coordinator at Michigan. This marks the first instance since 2019, when Al Washington and Greg Mattison were recruited from the Wolverines, that one rival has recruited from the other.
From the timing to the apparent lateral move and the destination itself, the personal implications of this decision cannot be overlooked.
Assistant coaches typically do not remain at one institution for a decade without seeing tangible progress in their careers. Although Alford held various ancillary titles over the years, including serving as assistant head coach for offense and run game coordinator, he may have reached the pinnacle of his coaching hierarchy at Ohio State.
As the highest-paid running backs coach in the Big Ten in 2023, according to the USA Today assistant coaches database, it likely represented the apex of his career trajectory at Ohio State. Notably, he did not receive a contract extension alongside other coaches in February, rendering him a lame duck for 2024.
While replacing a running backs coach in mid-March is inconvenient but manageable, Alford’s departure to Michigan during a period when Ohio State is striving to build a formidable roster is a significant spring surprise.
Alford had been overseeing a promising running back situation during spring practices. TreVeyon Henderson, a former five-star recruit, opted to return for another season, bolstering the team alongside Quinshon Judkins, a standout transfer from Ole Miss. Dallan Hayden, positioned at No. 3 on the depth chart, has also been showing promise, alongside James Peoples, a highly-rated prospect from Texas.
Despite Alford’s departure, the experienced players at the top of the depth chart, coupled with Chip Kelly’s addition as offensive coordinator, offer some reassurance to navigate the transition until a replacement is secured.
Alford’s tenure at Ohio State has been a mixed bag, marked by successes such as recruiting and developing J.K. Dobbins into a standout rusher, as well as setbacks in recruiting and communication issues with players like Henderson.
Losing an assistant coach so familiar to every player on the roster to a rival team like Michigan has undoubtedly stirred emotions among the team members. This departure follows a series of offseason changes, including the departure of assistants Perry Eliano and Corey Dennis, and the hiring of Kelly as the replacement for Bill O’Brien.
Alford had dedicated years to defeating Michigan and contributing to Ohio State’s success in the rivalry. Now, he departs in the midst of spring practice to aid first-year coach Sherron Moore at Michigan.
While Alford may have had aspirations of becoming a head coach and possibly would have left Ohio State in the near future, his decision to join Michigan, especially at this critical juncture in the rivalry, will likely be viewed by many fans as a betrayal, overshadowing his contributions to the team’s success.
