Tag: Erin Dunston

Why Sherrone Moore hired Tony Alford, Erin Dunston away from Ohio State

Still loving these hires! #GoBlue

INDIANAPOLIS — Much like how Ryan Day hired away two Michigan football coaches in his first year with Ohio State, new Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore returned the favor as he takes the helm of the maize and blue.

It surprised many when Moore first took running backs coach Tony Alford away from the Buckeyes, and months later, he stole away rising star Erin Dunston, who was crucial to Ohio State’s operation behind the scenes.

On the third day of Big Ten media days, Moore finally took the dais to represent Michigan, and he shared why he hired both away from Columbus.

“Talk about two outstanding individuals, people,” Moore said. “Well-rounded, well-educated, both trusted people. I have known Tony for a very long time and had a tremendous amount of respect for him and what he’s done in the business.

“And Erin not as much. But heard tremendous things about her. Just want great people in our program. Great mentors of young men that are going to lead our players to a great place. So that was really the backbone behind that. And excited to (watch them work in) the future.”

While fans will get a good idea of Alford’s contribution right away, depending on the production of the running backs, it may be less clear with Dunston since she works behind the scenes.

Report: Ohio State football loses another staffer to Michigan

Not the best news in the middle of official visit season. #GoBucks

The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan doesn’t start and end on the field, it also happens on the coaching staff.

Earlier this year, former Buckeyes running back coach Tony Alford defected North and took the same position with the Wolverines. On Tuesday, it was reported by On3’s Spencer Holbrook that Ohio State’s assistant AD of football recruiting. [autotag]Erin Dunston[/autotag]. will also move on, and take the Director of Operations position at Michigan.

This one hurts much more than Alford, as Dunston has done a fantastic job helping the Buckeyes recruiting efforts. There are some family ties for her with the Wolverines, as her sister, Jillian, is an assistant women’s basketball coach and played for them as well.

As if the rivalry couldn’t get any more heated, this move by Dunston has thrown more gas to the fire.

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Michigan football hires another staffer away from Ohio State

Another L in CoLLLumbus. #GoBlue

Ohio State fans haven’t been happy at all with anything to do with Michigan football of late.

Whether it was the three wins in a row, the Connor Stalions saga, the national championship, the swiping of running backs coach Tony Alford, or the basketball team getting a transfer from guard Roddy Gayle Jr., all things maize and blue have even further enraged the scarlet and gray.

Well, Tuesday’s news won’t help.

Though it’s a very much behind the scenes move, Sherrone Moore and his new-look Wolverines have hired former Ohio State staffer Erin Dunston — the sister of former Michigan basketball player and current assistant Jillian Dunston — to be the new director of operations.

Via Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook, who first reported the news:

Ohio State is losing a key member of its recruiting staff to its arch rival: Assistant Athletic Director for Football Recruiting & Events Erin Dunston is leaving the program for a position at Michigan, Lettermen Row has learned.

Dunston had been with the Buckeyes since 2021 as the director of on-campus recruiting and had recently been promoted to her position. Now she’s trading in scarlet and gray for maize and blue.

She previously worked at Kansas and Purdue. Dunston was included in On3’s 2022 rising star personnel and recruiting staffers you need to know.

Dunston appears to be taking on an expanded role similar to the one that Christina DeRuyter once held before she followed Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Sherrone Moore promised at his introductory press conference to expand the recruiting department, and with eight analysts hired on that side of things, and now Dunston, he’s keeping his promise.

Assuredly, it also helps that he’s taken a rising star away from a rival, too.