New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham has made his first big decision: he’s keeping Tony Alford as the running backs coach. Alford has been with the Wolverines for the last two seasons and has helped the team’s running backs shine.
Whittingham and Alford share a history, having both worked under Urban Meyer at different times. On a personal note, Whittingham previously hired Alford’s brother, Aaron, as an assistant coach at Utah.
The Wolverines faced challenges last season due to injuries, but two running backs, Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, were on their way to impressive stats. Haynes rushed for 857 yards and scored 10 touchdowns before an injury kept him off the field. Marshall wasn’t far behind with 932 yards and also 10 touchdowns, but he faced some injury struggles in the season’s final games.
Also notable was Bryson Kuzdzal, a former walk-on, who stepped up when injuries struck, adding 244 yards and four touchdowns.
Alford played a key role in bringing Haynes in from the transfer portal. He also helped secure five-star recruit Savion Hiter for the 2026 class, showing his talent for connecting with promising players.
As the off-season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Whittingham and Alford shape the team’s future. Building strong relationships and maintaining effective coaching can significantly impact player performance. Recent studies suggest that effective leadership in sports often translates to better team outcomes, reinforcing the importance of maintaining experienced coaches like Alford.
Stay tuned as this story develops and more news unfolds about Michigan Wolverines football.
