Tony Alford addresses move from Ohio State to Michigan: 'I just thought it was time'
The Michigan Wolverines made waves this offseason when they hired away running backs coach Tony Alford from Ohio State, adding another layer to the storied rivalry. To this point, it has been the staff move that has generated the most conversation under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore.
Alford had his first opportunity to speak with the media on Wednesday in Ann Arbor and laid out why he decided to leave Columbus.
“I just thought it was time. Might have been time for both sides,” Alford said, later stating that he thinks he may have reached his ceiling at OSU. “That’s nobody’s fault. If it was that, I’m as culpable as anybody. I just thought it was time. Nine years is a long time. I thought it was in my best interest [to move on].”
Alford has been on the other side of three straight losses in the rivalry and now joins the program with all the momentum. He is not interested in getting involved with the mudslinging and narratives of who is the tougher program.
That said, the toughness established at Michigan over the last few years has stood out to him.
“I wasn’t here through those times where they’ve obviously started winning those games and The Game,” Alford said. “But again, I just go back to there’s a level of toughness here that’s been established and firm.
“I think the thing that probably stood out to me the most when I got here, and it didn’t take long, is the alignment and the alignment of the staff. What Sherrone has done as far as staff alignment, continuity, togetherness… I think that’s trickled down to the players. But that’s the one thing that stood out instantaneously was the alignment of staff and obviously in particular the offensive staff.”
Alford spent six years at Notre Dame under Brian Kelly before moving to Ohio State, working under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day the last nine years. He knows what contention and leadership looks like at blue chip programs, and sees those types of traits under Moore at Michigan.
“Watching how he interacts with the team, first and foremost they believe in him,” Alford said. “You can tell by the way they respond to him and speak to him. I walked into a staff room in alignment. So I think those things have been phenomenal. I think he’s special. He’s special and the things that I saw helped me decide to come here.
“He’s just confirmed everything that I thought. His leadership, his way of getting people all aligned in the same way and sharing a vision thus far has been great.”
For now, Alford has nine years of Ohio State gear to unload. He’s not quite sure where that will wind up just yet.
“I know where it’s not going to be. It’s not going to be in my closet [in Ann Arbor],” Alford said. “We’ll figure that out. There are a lot of people I can get that going to.
“I’ve been so unbelievably fortunate in my career. I’ve hit [the blue blood programs] all in the Midwest. I’ve been very blessed and very fortunate. It’s not because of me. I think it has a lot to do with the people I’ve been around.”
Michigan and Ohio State renew their rivalry on Nov. 30 in Columbus. Alford has envisioned what his return might look like, but it might not be safe for public sharing.
“I won’t tell you what that vision was,” he quipped. “But at the end of the day, [it’s about the team] across the field, and coaching staff across the field. It’s never going to be about the coaches. It shouldn’t be.”
