Sherrone Moore Makes Controversial Move To Let Go Of Michigan Legend And Running Backs Coach Mike Hart

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The Michigan Wolverines are going to have a much different look about them when they take the field in 2024.

Sure, the Wolverines will be reigning national champions for the first time since 1998. But if they hope to repeat, they’ll have to do without several of the players and coaches that helped them get there in the first place.

Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News reports that Michigan and new head coach Sherrone Moore opted not to retain running back coach Mike Hart for 2024.

Hart, a Michigan alum and the program’s all-time leading rusher, returned to his alma mater in 2021 and helped turn Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards into one of the nation’s top rushing tandems.

Though Hart did has suffered from some health complications, there’s no indication that those played a role in the decision.

Michigan RB Donovan Edward Praises Position Coach Mike Hart

Edwards, who returns to Ann Arbor in 2024, was a particularly big fan of his position coach.

“The way that he operates with his players, the relationship that he builds with his players,” Edwards said when explaining why Hart is so effective. “On the field, he’s played the game. You have a little bit more respect for a coach that has done the same thing that you have done. It’s those things, like managing me and Blake’s reps, making sure that we’re healthy, making sure we’re OK. There’s times that he sees that we’re not OK, he’ll tell us to go sit down because he wants us to be at our best. We as running backs and the whole entire staff and program have major respect for him. He’s also involved in other areas, too, like helping out quarterbacks, receivers, offensive line. He’s very engaging with everybody. Everybody has tremendous respect for him around here.”

Hart follows head coach Jim Harbaugh and several others out the door, and some Michigan fans aren’t too happy about it.

With spring practice ramping up shortly, Moore will now have to work quickly to find a replacement for one of the nation’s top assistant coaches.