Michigan coach Mike Hart releases first statement since in-game collapse, seizure
In one of the scariest scenes of the college football season, former Michigan star running back and current Wolverines running backs coach Mike Hart collapsed on the sidelines during the program’s victory over Indiana last weekend.
The cause of the collapse and subsequent carting-off of Hart was later revealed by FOX to be a seizure, and the coach was taken to IU Hospital. In the moments afterwards and the days since, the thoughts and prayers of the college football world have been with Hart, his family and the Michigan football team.
Now, Hart has released his first statement since the event, an overwhelmingly positive one that’ll bring a smile to everyone’s face to read.
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“I would like to thank everyone for their support, messages and prayers. I am truly grateful for the trainers and paramedics, the doctors and nurses at IU Hospital, Michigan’s team doctors, coaching staff, players and Coach Harbaugh. I would also like to thank IU’s football staff and team doctors. I will never forget everyone’s kindness and generosity,” wrote Hart. “My wife and I are thankful to be surrounded by such incredible people.
“Health-wise, I am back in Ann Arbor and things are trending in a positive direction. I look forward to rejoining our team soon.”
In a tremendous turn of events, Mike Hart is in fantastic spirits, looking forward to rejoining the Wolverines in the near future. All of Michigan — along with the entire college football world — can smile after hearing the magnificent news.
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Mike Hart joined Michigan as a member of the Class of 2004, where he went on to have a tremendous career. According to the On3 Consensus, the former four-star recruit out of Nedrow, New York was the No. 2 overall recruit from his home state, the No. 28 running back and the No. 245 overall recruit from his class.
During his time with the Wolverines, Hart had about as much success as any recruit could dream of. From 2004 to 2007, Hart amassed 5,040 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Additionally, the Michigan star caught 67 passes for 566 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well.
Continuing, Hart gained numerous awards for his play, including being named the 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and being named the the First-Team All-Big Ten in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Hart was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award on two separate occasions, but his favorite accolade is likely being named the 2007 Michigan Football Team MVP.
After leaving the Wolverines for the NFL following the 2007 season, Hart was selected in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He would spend three seasons with the AFC South franchise, returning to college football as a coach afterwards.
Before returning the Ann Arbor as the team’s running backs coach in 2021, Hart coached the unit at multiple different programs, including Syracuse, Rutgers and Indiana. Of course, the opportunity to return to Michigan was too good to pass up for Hart.
Under his guidance, Michigan running backs like last season’s backfield leader Hassan Haskins and 2022’s offensive engine Blake Corum have become some the best in college football. If you didn’t believe in his coaching abilities before, it’s tough to argue with the results now.
Indisputably, Mike Hart is as important as any coach on the Wolverines staff, and the thoughts and prayers of the college football world are with Michigan and the Hart family.