Michigan is hiring Mike Hart, the Wolverines’ leading rusher of all time, as running backs coach, the school announced Wednesday.
Hart set Michigan records for rushing yards (5,040 yards) and carries (1,015), scoring 41 rushing touchdowns as a four-year starter. He won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award in 2004 and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection three times. He was also a two-time finalist for the Doak Walker Award, finishing fifth in the 2006 Heisman Trophy voting. Hart set a team record of 28 games with 100 or more rushing yards.
“Michigan has always held a special place in my heart,” Hart said in a statement. “It’s a place that has always believed in me and a place that I have always believed in. I love joining Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan staff, and I can’t wait to get started with a talented running back group. “
Hart, 34, has spent the past four years coaching running backs in Indiana.
As the sixth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2008, Hart played three NFL seasons before coaching for Eastern Michigan. He later coached running backs at Western Michigan and Syracuse before joining the Indiana staff in 2017. The Hoosiers promoted Hart to associate head coach in 2020.
Michigan last week announced a new four-year deal for Harbaugh, who is 49-22 in six seasons but went 2-4 in 2020.