Tag: Mike Hart

What Mike Hart said about Michigan football’s running backs before Northwestern

Michigan football leads the conference in rushing offense through Week 7.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football has returned off the bye week and that means that we’ve gotten the opportunity to speak to the coaches again this week. Which included a fan favorite in former Wolverines running back Mike Hart.

With the maize and blue having the top rushing attack in the Big Ten and the seventh-best run offense in the country through Week 7, there’s still a lot to like about what the tailbacks bring to the table. While Hart talked about Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, he also spoke at length about Donovan Edwards and Tavierre Dunlap and where they stand at the moment.

Here’s everything he had to say on Wednesday.

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Which Michigan assistant has Greg Schiano considered targeting for his staff?

Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano discusses Michigan running backs coach Mike Hart, whom he said he’s thought about reaching out to for his staff.

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Michigan has one of the best running games in the country, and head coach Greg Schiano credits not just the Wolverines talent at running back but also a very talented running backs coach in Mike Hart. It is high praise from Schiano to single out an assistant in such a manner.

Michigan leads the nation with 350.3 rushing yards per game as their ground attack has been paced this season by the impressive Blake Corum. The sophomore, who had 26 carries and 77 rushing yards last season, already has 407 rushing yards on 48 carries and seven rushing touchdowns so far this season. It is a significant step forward in both workload and production for Corum; his play is a major reason why Michigan is 3-0 and ranked No. 19 in the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

Rutgers credits Hart, in his first season as running backs coach in Ann Arbor, with maximizing results so far for the Wolverines.

“They’re really good running backs, it’s not just Blake, it’s all of them. They have a really good running back, you can see it. And the guy who coaches them, coach Hart – I’ve followed him, I’ve tracked him from when he was a player. I remember we were all at this – I don’t know what it was – Ray [Rice] was being honored down in Orlando – and I remember [Hart] was there as a player,” Schiano told reporters during his weekly press conference.

“So, I’ve tracked his career and at different times, thought about reaching out to see if we could bring him here. I think he’s an excellent coach; that room is doing a great job. Certainly talented players but I think it is more than that.”

 

Hart played four years at Michigan beginning in 2004, ending his time as the program’s all-time leading rusher. After his time with the Wolverines, he played three seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.

He spent the last four seasons at Indiana as their running backs coach where he helped turn Stevie Scott into one of the best ball carriers in the Big Ten. Scott is a former Rutgers commit who switched his pledge to Indiana during his senior season.

Mike Hart vows that Donovan Edwards will ‘get in the game more’

Can’t wait to see what he can do when he gets his opportunity! #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When Michigan football brought in former five-star (according to 247Sports’ proprietary rankings) running back Donovan Edwards, the feeling was that the complexion of that room was finally changing.

Last year on paper, it appeared that the Wolverines had perhaps the best running backs room in the conference with Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum, Zach Charbonnet and Chris Evans. Though that still may be true on paper given what the two current Wolverines are doing along with Charbonnet’s breakout year with UCLA and Evans being in the NFL, the production didn’t match the potential.

Now we’re seeing the production, as the one-two punch of Haskins and Corum has given the maize and blue the fourth-best rushing attack in the nation through two weeks. But Edwards hasn’t quite gotten his shot just yet.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh had said that the big thing for Edwards was that he needed to learn more on how to run north and south compared to relying solely on his athleticism and bouncing it outside. According to running backs coach Mike Hart, that’s a common problem that nearly all backs have once they graduate from high school and join a college program.

“I think that’s always the issue with any back that comes from high school,” Hart said. “Not just Donovan, that was Blake’s issue last year. I’m sure it was Hassan’s issue when he was a freshman. That’s one of the biggest transitions when you get to college. Everybody’s fast, not just fast, but they contain the ball and there’s angles, right? So you have to get vertical.”

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Through two games, Edwards has just 7 carries for 31 yards and in retrospect, Hart wishes he would have gotten him in more this past week against the Huskies. The Wolverines rushed 56 times for 343 yards, but the bulk came from the Haskins-Corum ‘thunder and lightning’ duo.

Still, Hart feels like Edwards has done enough to earn ample playing time and vows that fans will see more of him going forward.

“He’s doing a great job,” Hart said. “That’s one thing — I need to get him on the field more. He’s talented. I told him that he should have more carries in the game against Washington. Without a doubt. But we’ve just gotta get him in there, get him oiled up. We’ll try to get him in the game more.”

Edwards certainly will have an opportunity in Week 3 when Michigan hosts NIU and its porous rushing defense. The Wolverines and Huskies kick off at The Big House at noon EDT on BTN.

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What Mike Hart said in his Week 3 press conference

He’s been such an amazing addition to the coaching staff!

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — He was both perhaps the most heralded hire this offseason by the Michigan fanbase as well as the one who’s had the quickest returns.

Former Michigan football running back Mike Hart is overseeing the tailbacks some 14 years after donning the winged helmet himself, and the Wolverines rushing attack is the talk of college football through two weeks. With Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins both putting up video game numbers, the maize and blue’s ‘thunder and lightning’ have certainly taken a step forward under Hart’s tutelage.

On Wednesday, Hart talked all things run game including what he’s seen from his backs, Donovan Edwards’ progress and much more.

Here is everything he had to say.

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Why Michigan RB Donovan Edwards ‘doesn’t look like a freshman’

He could be a true game changer! #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football has more than one debut that fans are anxiously awaiting. From former five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy to phenom linebacker Junior Colson, there are a few players who could make an instant impact as true freshmen.

But perhaps the most likely is former five-star running back Donovan Edwards.

Edwards has quickly found himself in the rotation, and head coach Jim Harbaugh has noted that he’ll see the field on day one. So, what does his position coach, Michigan all-time leading rusher Mike Hart, see in the freshman phenom?

“He’s just an explosive player,” Hart said. “I think a lot of you guys have seen his high school tape. The kind of runs he made in high school — he has the ability to make those in college. When he switches gears, you can tell. He doesn’t look out of place. I think a lot of freshmen when they come in, getting used to the speed, getting used to the speed on defense and making people miss, I think it takes a little transition. And it’s still a transition for him, he isn’t where he needs to be, but you can see that he has the skill set to be really, really special one day, if he gets better — he’s not there yet. But if he continues to grow, continues to take coaching, which he does, he has a chance to be a really good player.”

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While Hart is learning about Edwards’ prowess, there’s a coach on-staff that already knows all about what he can do — former West Bloomfield head coach Ron Bellamy, who now coaches the Wolverines safeties.

Considering that he’s already spent four years with Edwards at the Oakland County powerhouse, Bellamy knows everything about what the Lakers standout can do.

And from what he’s seen in fall camp, looking across the line of scrimmage, Bellamy is seeing exactly what he expected when he was helping Edwards manage his recruitment — a bona fide five-star that every school in the nation wanted.

“It’s Donovan — he’s what I’ve seen since third grade,” Bellamy said. “He’s a kid that’s not gonna let anybody outwork him. He’s a kid that takes his craft very seriously. He’s gonna be a great addition to the offense. He’s attacking every day and he’s getting better and better every chance I see him and he poses problems for defenses.”

That’s all good and well, especially in practice, but what about when the lights turn on? It’s a little different playing in West Bloomfield compared to being in front of 110,000 at The Big House. Not to mention, as a former five-star, Edwards has a target on his back, considering everyone is expecting big things. How can/will he live up to that?

“I don’t think he worries about that,” Bellamy said. “If you know Donovan, he received the Gatorade Michigan high school player of the year, he didn’t want to do it — he didn’t want to do the paperwork! He could have been Detroit Athletic Club player of the year — those individual accolades don’t define him. That’s why I don’t think it’ll be too much pressure for him.

“His biggest thing is he wants to compete and win. He’s always been like that. He’s carried that mindset here to Michigan and I’m excited to watch him, because it’s gonna be different for me to see him in that level. But I’m excited to follow his career.”

While Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis both noted that Edwards will be an instant impact player, how ready is he to contribute? Because often, it takes time for any high school player to acclimate to the physicality of the college game.

Bellamy says, however, with Edwards, there’s no reason to worry about that.

“When Donovan was in the 10th grade, he benched 225 (pounds) 12 times,” Bellamy said. “So, physically, dude’s ready. He always has been. He’s been a bit more physically mature than other kids his age and same is the case here. He’s come in day one since spring ball and he doesn’t look like a freshman.”

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Mike Hart explains running back rotation philosophy

What you hear is traumatized #Michigan fans from last year breathing a sigh of relief. #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — You can excuse Michigan football fans if they’re a little leery when it comes to managing a loaded running backs room.

In 2020, on paper, the Wolverines had one of the best running backs groups anywhere, with Hassan Haskins, Zach Charbonnet, Chris Evans and Blake Corum all splitting carries. It was an embarrassment of riches and one that the maize and blue seemingly couldn’t handle.

Charbonnet sat for long stretches and he ultimately transferred to UCLA this offseason. Haskins eventually won the starting job, but between he, Corum and Evans, none of the three had typical RB numbers in terms of carries.

Now their former position coach, Jay Harbaugh, is back to coaching tight ends, where he once had a Mackey Award winner in Jake Butt. So with Mike Hart coming aboard as the team’s new running backs coach, how does he approach the running backs rotation?

“Play them how I see fit at the end of the day,” Hart said. “You have to let a guy get a little comfortable in the game. I think there’s always two first or second down backs, there’s a third down back, there’s a short-yardage back — it can be the same guy, right? If a guy is better at something — if Blake is better on third down than Hassan, then it would be smart to play Blake, right? If it’s third down, if it’s third and long. If Hassan’s a better short-yardage runner on third-and-1, then put Hassan in the game. I think that whoever earns those jobs, whoever is better at them, then that’s who’s gonna be in the game in those situations, from that standpoint.”

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As far as Hart sees it, he’s planning to put his players in the best position to succeed, and sometimes that means waiting to let them grow into the right position. Just because one player isn’t a short-yardage back now doesn’t mean he can’t develop into one, for instance.

With three obvious players this year in Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, managing a trio should be a bit easier than what we saw last year with the quartet.

“At my previous job, there was a guy who didn’t play on third down at all in his first two years and then last year, he played every third down because he got better at it,” Hart said. “It really just depends on where they are in their career. Do they know pass pro? Can they pick up blitzes? Can they do those things in certain situations? Are they better at third-and-1? There might be a guy who never plays but who goes in at third-and-1 that’s gonna be our running back. And everyone knows we’re running. That’s one of those things, whoever earns those jobs, that’s who’s gonna be in those situations — when it’s clear as day. Obviously, you can’t just say, ‘Oh, he’s in the game,’ and it’s gonna be a pass, right? If it’s third-and-12, (put in) the third-and-12 back?”

Hart will have his official prodigal return, now as the team’s running backs coach, on Sept. 4 when Michigan hosts Western Michigan for the season opener at noon EDT.

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Mike Hart rebuffs idea that he had contentious relationship with Jim Harbaugh prior to 2021 hire

We can put all those old rumors to rest for good now. #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Back in 2006-07, there was something of a rivalry going on between Michigan men.

Then the head coach at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh lamented that other schools, including U-M, didn’t have the rigorous academic standards that the Cardinal had. That drew the ire of the then-senior running back in Ann Arbor, Mike Hart, who proclaimed for all to hear at Big Ten media days:

“That’s a guy I have no respect for. You graduate from the University of Michigan, and you’re going to talk about your school like that, a great university like we have? To say that we’re not true student-athletes? I don’t know if maybe he wants to coach here and he’s mad because he didn’t get a job.

“He says we don’t have great student-athletes, but he just accepted one of our transfers. What kind of sense does that make? Obviously, he wants guys like us at his school. I don’t know how he can say that. He’s not a Michigan man. I wish he’d never played here.”

Since, as Hart graduated, got into the NFL and then became a college coach shortly after, there had been ruminations that there was bad blood between the two prominent alums — especially with Harbaugh running the show in Ann Arbor. However, at his first media appearance since joining the Wolverines staff as the running backs coach, Hart dismissed the idea that there was any kind of bad blood between the two.

“2007? How old were you in 2007? 25? How old was I in 2007? Angelique, do you know? 21? Pretty sure I was 21 years old,” Hart said. “It’s been great. Ever since coach has got the job here, we’ve stayed in contact, we’ve talked. We’ve done camps together when they were doing all the mega camps. We’ve had a great relationship. Stuff happens, it is what it is and you move on.”

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Of course he’s going to say that now that he’s on the staff, but was there ever any truth to the idea that Harbaugh and Hart were at each others’ throats save for back when one was a young head coach and the other was a player?

Hart says that he was young and mouthy back in his playing days, but he learned a lot of lessons since then. Beyond that, he says that Harbaugh and he have had a budding relationship ever since the former quarterback took over the program in 2015.

“I’ve said a lot of things in my life, you guys know that! Youth, inexperience. I think that people say things when you’re angry and I’ve learned not to say things when I’m angry, I’ll tell you that,” Hart said. “Me and Jim have been great. It didn’t just start when he hired me. We’ve had a relationship before that — he didn’t just call me out of the blue. We’ve talked over the years since he’s gotten here. We’ve texted about the Ohio State game, we’ve played the same teams they’ve played. We’ve had a relationship. There’s no animosity, we’re good, we’ve been good.”

Now that the two are working in the same direction, we can finally put the past behind us and the rumors to rest.

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Everything Mike Hart said in his first press conference as a Michigan coach

For the first time since he was a running back for the Wolverines, Michigan football RB coach Mike Hart met with the media in Ann Arbor.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It’s been a long time since Michigan football’s all-time leading rusher took questions from the media as an entity representing the Wolverines. And for the first time since his playing days — which ended on New Year’s Day in 2008 — Mike Hart was answering questions wearing maize and blue.

From his prodigal return as a coach, to the players he inherited in the running backs room, to former five-star Donovan Edwards, to his rotation philosophy, Hart had a lot to say in his 15 minutes at the podium. WolverinesWire was there and here’s everything that he had to say on Thursday afternoon outside of Schembechler Hall.

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What led Mike Hart back to Michigan as a coach

Michigan football made waves last month when it hired former RB Mike Hart as a coach. Here’s how he got back to Ann Arbor.

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It started a string of shake-ups in the coaching staff, when Michigan football brought back favorite son Mike Hart to coach running backs.

Hart had spent the past four years at Indiana coaching the same position, after having had stops at Syracuse, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan. But the allure of put on a coaches’ hat at the school where he amassed more yards than any other Wolverine before him was too much to ignore.

So how did he get here? Why did he decide now was the time to move back to Ann Arbor? How did he get into coaching in the first place?

He shared all with MGoBlue’s Ed Kengerski about his return to his alma mater as a mentor for the next crop of running backs.

Watch below:

Mike Hart talks return to Michigan football as running backs coach

Speaking with Jon Jansen on the ‘In the Trenches’ podcast, Michigan football’s Mike Hart shares what it’s like to come back as a coach.

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It’s been a long time coming, but the prodigal son finally returned to Ann Arbor this offseason — though there was close to no doubt Mike Hart wouldn’t eventually end up a part of a Michigan football coaching staff.

The former Wolverines running back who is still the last tailback drafted out of Ann Arbor and still the all-time leader in career yards wearing maize and blue is back as Michigan’s new running backs coach. As head coach Jim Harbaugh retooled the staff this offseason, Hart comes aboard after spending the last several years at Indiana. He has also coached at Syracuse, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan before returning to his alma mater.

Speaking with Jon Jansen on the ‘In the Trenches’ podcast, Hart notes that he’s ‘excited to be back,’ and while it was a no-brainer for him to come back to A2, it was also tough for him to leave behind the school he just spent quite some time at.

“I was in a great situation at my previous institution,” Hart said. “Really, the program we were building — kind of the longest I’ve been anywhere, which was really four years —it was one of those things, when (Harbaugh) called, I knew what we had. It wasn’t just a ‘yes, let’s come,’ but it was a ‘yes, let’s come’ if that makes sense! It’s just hard when you leave your guys. That’s the biggest thing. (The people in) the administration at Indiana, it was one of those things where it was just tough. But this is home. This is obviously where I wanted to be for a long time. I’m just excited to be here and really just excited to work with these guys, because there’s a lot of talent on the team. So I’m just really looking forward to spring ball and getting back into the office and getting around the players. Just getting this thing back on track.”

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Of course, this is different for Hart. As a player, the Syracuse, New York, native was known for his quintessential love for all things University of Michigan.

He was only a few years removed from his senior year at U-M by the time he took the field as an opposing coach, this time wearing green and white signifying he was on-staff with Eastern Michigan — seven miles down the road. Hart told Jansen he cut short his NFL career at the end of his contract because he knew that his heart was in coaching rather than playing — it was a purposeful move, rather than seeking out another opportunity either with the Indianapolis Colts or another franchise around the league.

So now his route has been circuitous and he has set foot into Schembechler Hall wearing maize and blue again, did he hear the echoes of his former playing career just over a decade ago?

Kind of. There was some nostalgia, but also a recognition of how much things have changed.

“First, I heard the voice of Bo in the parking lot!” Hart said. “The first time I met Bo was probably my third day on campus as a freshman. He was getting out of his car walking in, and he said, ‘You’re that Hart kid, huh?’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘You’re too small to play running back here!’ And then he just kept walking. I was like, ‘That’s great!’

“It was one of those things, and I’ve coached — I haven’t been back in the facility in probably 10 years, so I haven’t even been there since they redid the museum part. So just to see what they’ve done, the investment they’ve made, it’s beautiful. From the museum, to just — I saw the indoor before, but everything else — the weight room, the nutrition area. The things they’ve done are just amazing. I’m just really excited to be back and excited to work with everybody.”

While Hart certainly looks back at his time here as a player with fond memories, he’s also not planning on revisiting those days much, or resting on his laurels.

Just like in his time as a Wolverines running back, there’s no time to get misty eyed about what might be, it’s time to work for what could be.

“I think that it’s a little nostalgic coming back, because I haven’t been back in so long,” Hart said. “That first day, when you’re kinda standing around, walking in the office, it’s kind of one of those things that you really dream of — almost like when you’re a player. When you get that opportunity, the first time you walk in, when you step into your locker, it’s like, ‘OK, I’m here.’ Of course, I’m always thinking forward, like, ‘OK, you’re here, but what are you gonna do?’ So, it’s like, once you walk in, you enjoy it for a little bit, but then it’s time to get to work. And I’m really just excited to get to work, coach this team and coach these guys and really building relationships with players as a team.”

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