ESPN REPORT: Sherrone Moore explains why he Lose….

Sherrone Moore and Michigan football made a splash move earlier this month when they hired Tony Alford from Ohio State to take over as running backs coach and offensive run game coordinator.

Alford had spent the last nine years with the Buckeyes under both Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, and he departed Columbus after that program had begun spring practices. He arrived in Ann Arbor to lead a room featuring Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall and a bevy of young talent.

On Thursday, Moore discussed what made Alford such an attractive candidate.

“His résumé speaks for itself,” Sherrone Moore said. “Who is as a coach, as a mentor, as a recruiter. But more importantly, as a person. Known him for a long time.

“Obviously, he was on the other side. Don’t fault him too much for that. But, I mean, as a person — you just get to know him as a person outside of that — he’s an incredible human being. Incredible mentor, incredible coach, so just super excited to have him on staff.”

Alford boasts more than 25 years as a running backs coach at some of the most prominent programs in college football, including midwest powers Notre Dame and Ohio State. He was hired by Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame in 2009 and was retained the following year by Brian Kelly. In South Bend, Alford’s role included wide receivers coach (2010-11), running backs coach/slot receivers coach/receiving coordinator (2012-13) and running backs coach/recruiting coordinator (2014).

Ohio State hired Alford from Notre Dame in 2015. In Columbus, he held the title of assistant head coach for offense and running backs coach, plus a more recent promotion to run game coordinator.

Alford is also recognized as an excellent recruiter, and that background should serve as an asset for Moore and his staff.

“The experience he has and what he’s done and where he’s been, it’s just a different perspective,” Moore said. “It’s always good to get a different perspective, and you don’t always do things the way you did it. Sometimes you have to change a couple things here and there, but it’s always good to have another perspective and another viewpoint of how somebody has done things. Just because you did a one way before doesn’t mean it’s gonna work. Just because you’ve always done it this way doesn’t mean you can’t do it another way. So just having that perspective from another way is good for us.”

Alford replaces Mike Hart, who left the program after three years as running backs coach. Hart is a program legend who still holds the Wolverines’ all-time rushing record.

“Mike did so much for this university,” Moore said. “He was an integral part of what we did here is from a coaching staff and as a player. Really, that’s all I’ll comment on that.”

The Wolverines began spring practice on March 18.

Spring practices are underway in Ann Arbor, as the Michigan football team begins defending its national championship with 15 spring practices over the next five weeks.

And through two practices, the Wolverines’ star-laden defense has stood out to head coach Sherrone Moore.

“Best defense in the country,” Moore said with a grin Thursday while meeting with reporters.

Of course, to back up those claims, Michigan will need more than just star performances from veterans like Rod Moore, Mason Graham, Will Johnson and Kenneth Grant. The Wolverines will need new contributors to step up. And according to Moore, Michigan has already seen a couple of them do just that.

“There’s a couple guys,” Moore said. “To start on defense, the two guys I called out yesterday: DJ Waller, who played a little bit last year, he’s been awesome. He’s been super impressive, super long, super athletic. He’s going to be a phenomenal player. Jyaire Hill, call him ‘Sug, he’s phenomenal. He made two big plays yesterday, he’s been awesome.

“… Those two young guys, it’s pretty cool to watch those young guys really flourish. Those guys got some playing time (in 2023), but it’s been pretty cool to see.”

He continued with a look at two edge rushers hoping to ascend into the two-deep this fall with Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor off to the NFL Draft.