News broke early Wednesday morning that running back coach Tony Alford informed Ohio State that he will be leaving to join arch-rival Michigan as their running back coach. This move coming just days after spring practice started for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has arguably the best running back room in the country headlined by senior TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. Alford’s departure has been speculated as he was the only returning Buckeye coach who did not receive an extension on February 15th. However, the surprising part is that he went to That Team Up North. A move as polarizing as this will not bode well for Alford’s approval rating among the Ohio State community and we have already seen some reactions.
I ain’t mad at Tony Alford. He missed out on another championship run. — Maurice Clarett (@ReeseClarett13) March 13, 2024
👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾 https://t.co/WLDcZsBRC0
— Denzel Burke (@King10Burke) March 13, 2024
That’s wild..
— “Chop” 🐶 (@okmiyan_) March 13, 2024
Ohio State Legend Eddie George a Replacement?
The Buckeyes will now have to begin their search for a new running back coach and will likely waste no time with 2024 LiFEsports Spring Game taking place on Saturday April 13th. A name that has been speculated by Buckeye fans as a potential replacement is former Heisman trophy winning Ohio State running back Eddie George, who is currently the head football coach at Tennessee State. George would join a staff that already has some Buckeye legends including wide receiver coach Brian Hartline, and linebacker coach James Laurinaitis.
Eddie George has more qualifications than being an Ohio State legend, his Tennessee State Tigers have proven that George can scheme up a solid rushing attack. Since George took over as the Tennessee State signal caller in 2021, the Tigers have increased their team rushing yards per game every single year. In 2023 the Tennessee State averaged 148.5 rushing yards per game, 8.3 more yards per game than the Ohio State rushing attack who out up 140.2 rushing yards per game. Of course, the Buckeyes were playing against much better competition, but George also had less talent, and still proved he coach up a ground attack.
Is This a Real Possibility?
A potential roadblock on this potential deal is whether Eddie George would leave the Tennessee State job at this point in the preseason. However, one thing we have learned at this day and age of college football, anything is possible. We can look no further then Ohio State where we saw former Alabama Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien leave Alabama for the Buckeyes and then just weeks later leave and take the Boston College Head Coaching job. Sure, becoming a Head Coach is technically a promotion, but then we saw former UCLA Head Coach Chip Kelly leave his job to become the new Ohio State offensive coordinator.
Eddie George’s current annual salary is $468,700 annually. Tony Alfords salary at Ohio State was $772,000 annually.
There has been rumors that Ohio State and Tony Alford were going to split ways when Ohio State made moves regarding their coaching staff earlier this offseason. Though it is unclear whether those rumors have any traction.
With Henderson and Judkins in the backfield it is hard to argue that there is a better running back coaching job in the country, and the Buckeyes will not struggle to attract a top tier candidate.
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