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INDIANAPOLIS — Just about as soon as the offseason hit following the 2020 season, Michigan football fans had a reason to rejoice: Mike Hart was coming home.
While his homecoming is a reason for celebration in Ann Arbor, it’s a loss for an emergent Indiana program where the former Wolverines all-time leading rusher had become a prominent part of Tom Allen’s coaching staff.
At Big Ten media days last week, WolverinesWire spoke to star Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Ty Fryfogle about their reaction when they learned that Hart was departing the program for his alma mater. While they’re happy to see him happy, they do wish that IU could have retained him in Bloomington.
“I’m excited for Coach Hart,” Fryfogle said. “I’m kinda sad he left, but I’m excited for him and his opportunity going back to his alma mater, just doing what he loves — coaching.”
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“That’s where he started,” Penix said. “There’s some things that people just can’t forget about. That’s where he started. He had a great career there. He’s a great coach. I’ll always respect him, no matter what.”
Given that they worked with Hart in some capacity — though not directly as he wasn’t their position coach — obviously, they both have a unique perspective on what he brings to the table.
For Penix, he remembers him more as someone who had his back while he struggled earlier in his career with injuries.
“Coach Hart, he was a guy that always was in my corner,” Penix said. “He always pushed me. Through my injuries and stuff, he always checked up on me — stuff like that. So I really appreciate him.”
Fryfogle didn’t have nearly as much to say, but he did note that Hart’s time at Michigan molded him into the man he is today.
“He’s a great coach, great leadership,” Fryfogle said. “A really tough guy. You can tell he was a football player.”
While Penix thinks it’s bittersweet to see Hart leave Bloomington, he’ll be rooting for him on a personal level — in every game but one.
“Him being at Michigan, I’ll always respect him as a coach,” Penix said. “But we’re on the opposite team now, so when we play Michigan, we’re against each other. But after that game, we’re still cool.”
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