Tony Alford sent shockwaves across college football by leaving Ohio State for Michigan in the offseason. He served as the running backs coach in Columbus for eight years before making the jump.
The 55-year-old is happier than ever!
Alford joined Ryan Day’s staff as a position coach and the associate head coach in 2015. He was also elevated to run game coordinator prior to the 2022 season.
For him to flip between two of the biggest rivals in sports was quite the surprise. The Buckeyes hate the Wolverines and the Wolverines hate the Buckeyes. Alford’s last eight years were focused, largely, on winning ‘The Game.’ That notion remains true— but now it’s on the other side.
Although there was a lot of animosity involved with the move among the fans, Alford claims that it was fairly cordial among the respective coaching staffs. He spoke about his departure as a guest on The John McCalister Report.
This is such a transient job that we have. We all know that going into it. Nine years is like an eternity in the coaching profession. I was very fortunate for those nine years, as I said earlier. I just think it was time. I think it was time for them, (OSU coach) Ryan Day and Ohio State, and it was time for Tony Alford.
I don’t think it was any one party saying, “Screw you.” It was never any of that. I just think for both parties, I think we both knew it. It was just time.
— Tony Alford
Regardless of how things actually went down between the two sides, there is no way that Day and his staff were thrilled with Alford for joining their biggest rival. And what he said next probably won’t go over particularly well either.
I’m as happy as I’ve been in a long time, as far as in my coaching profession. I’m in a good place. I’m in a good place. And Sherrone Moore and that staff has been nothing but open arms and kind and great to me and really good people. I mean, unbelievable people.
— Tony Alford
Alford is saying all of the right things about his new employer. It is not intended as a diss. It was a very well-intentioned attempt to clear the air and establish his truth. There was no malicious intent.
However, in saying what he said, he kicked up some debris that landed in Columbus.
If Tony Alford is as happy as he’s been in a long time at Michigan, what does that say about the past few years? How does that reflect on the current state of the Buckeyes?
Ohio State has legitimate national title hopes this fall. It will be a rebuilding year for Michigan.
The Alford component will only add fuel to the rivalry fire!