Michigan’s best rusher ever, Mike Hart, is returning to the Wolverines as a running back trainer after spending the last four seasons in Indiana, the school announced on Wednesday. Hart, 34, was honored three times by the All-Big Ten in the first team during his four-year college career, before playing three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and then starting his transition to coaching.
“Michigan has always had a special place in my heart,” said Hart. “It is a place that has always believed in me and that I have always believed in. I am excited to join Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan team and can’t wait to start working with a talented group of running back.”
Hart will train running backs for the Wolverines, as he has for the Hoosiers for the past four seasons. Jay Harbaugh had coached Michigan’s running backs and special teams, but will now direct his main focus to special teams, according to The Michigan Insider of the 247Sports network.
“I am excited about the addition of Mike Hart to our offensive coaching staff,” said Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh. “Mike is a great coach and Michigan Man who has shown the ability to develop and elevate the performance of the running backs he coached. We look forward to welcoming Mike, Monique and their children into the Michigan Football family.”
Hart worked in 2011-13 Eastern Michigan, then spent two seasons at Western Michichan and one at Syracuse before joining the Indiana team, when Tom Allen became the head coach before the 2017 season. The Hoosiers had one of their best seasons in the show’s history last season, with Hart also taking on the role of associate coach. Indiana’s 6-2 campaign included his first win over the Wolverines in 33 years.
Hart’s Michigan game days spanned the 2004-07 seasons, which were Lloyd Carr’s last as a coach. Hart ran for 5,040 yards and 41 touchdowns while racking up a school record of 28 games with 100 or more running yards.