Michigan's all-time leading rusher and one of the better assistant coaches in the Big Ten is coming home. Mike Hart, who's served as Indiana's running backs coach since 2017 and added an associate head coach title in 2020, will join Jim Harbaugh's staff as running backs coach, as first reported by Jamie Morris and quickly confirmed by the program itself:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday (Jan. 13) the hiring of former Wolverine running back Mike Hart as the program's running back mentor. The all-time leading rusher in Michigan football history, Hart has been the running backs coach at Indiana University for the past four seasons (2017-20). He was elevated to associate head coach in 2020 after serving as the Hoosiers' assistant coach during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

"I am excited about the addition of Mike Hart to our offensive coaching staff," said Harbaugh. "Mike is a great coach and Michigan Man who has shown the ability to develop and elevate the performance of the running backs that he has mentored. We look forward to welcoming Mike, Monique and their children to the Michigan Football family."

"Michigan has always held a special place in my heart," said Hart. "It is a place that always believed in me and a place that I have always have believed in. I am excited to join Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan staff, and can't wait to get to work with a talented running back group."

In his 10 seasons as a coach, Hart has tutored four 1,000-yard rushers, two Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year recipients and the 2014 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Jarvion Franklin.

As a member of the Indiana coaching staff, Hart was a 2018 Broyles Award nominee and received recognition as a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals.com for his work on the 2019 signing class.

Hart has been instrumental in the development of Indiana's running game, with the program gaining 1,888 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in 2018. IU followed up by producing 1,695 yards and 24 TDs in 2019. The Hoosiers gained 869 yards and scored 12 TDs during the shortened 2020 campaign.

Hart developed Stevie Scott into an all-conference performer with the tailback earning second team All-Big Ten accolades the past two seasons (2019-20) after collecting honorable mention honors as a freshman.

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Excellent. With that out of the way, this is a universally lauded hire for Harbaugh, and for good reason. Hart's track record as a developer of running backs and recruiter is strong given the talent one can land at Indiana, Syracuse, and directional Michigan schools. Hart got the most out of his physical ability as a player and he should help Michigan's very talented backs do the same.

The addition of Hart to the coaching staff means Jay Harbaugh will move full-time to special teams, according to Sam Webb. It also provides a spark of excitement for a program that really needs it.

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