Jim Harbaugh is hoping to revive Michigan's running game with one of the program's legendary running backs.
Harbaugh has hired Mike Hart as the Wolverines' running backs mentor, Michigan announced on Wednesday. Hart spent the past three seasons as the running backs coach at Indiana, also serving as associate head coach in 2020 when the Hoosiers went 6-2 and earned their highest AP Poll ranking since 1967.
Harbaugh is in the midst of overhauling his coaching staff after signing a four-year extension. His son, Jay Harbaugh, has been Michigan's running backs coach for the past four seasons.
“I am excited about the addition of Mike Hart to our offensive coaching staff," Harbaugh said in an official release. "Mike is a great coach and Michigan Man who has shown the ability to develop and elevate the performance of the running backs that he has mentored."
At Indiana, Hart helped RB Stevie Scott earn All-Big Ten accolades each of the past two seasons. He also earned praise for his work on the recruiting trail. And at Western Michigan he coached the 2014 MAC Offensive Player of the Year in RB Jarvion Franklin.
Hart starred at Michigan from 2004-07, rushing for 28 touchdowns over his final two seasons. He spent three seasons in the NFL before entering the coaching ranks at Eastern Michigan in 2011. Now he returns to the school where he launched his career.
“Michigan has always held a special place in my heart,” Hart said in the release. “It is a place that always believed in me and a place that I have always have believed in. I am excited to join Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan staff, and can’t wait to get to work with a talented running back group.”