He is not coming back

Mike Hart is not returning to Michigan’s football coaching staff under Sherrone Moore.

According to reports from the Detroit News and 247Sports, Michigan’s career rushing leader, Mike Hart, will not return for a fourth season as running backs coach.

Hart’s contract expired on January 10, and he hasn’t been seen publicly at any team events since Michigan defeated Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 8. Michigan has not responded to inquiries about Hart’s status in the program.

Hart, 37, joined Michigan’s coaching staff in 2021 after spending three seasons at Indiana. During Hart’s tenure, Michigan’s running game was among the best in college football, led by Blake Corum, who set a school record with 58 rushing touchdowns. Corum finished seventh on Michigan’s career rushing chart with 3,737 yards, while Hart leads with 5,040.

Hart received a base salary of $550,000 in 2023. He was Michigan’s run-game coordinator under offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who was promoted to head coach after Jim Harbaugh left to join the Los Angeles Chargers. Moore named quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell as his offensive coordinator shortly after taking the job.

Hart’s status was the only remaining question for Michigan’s new coaching staff. On Friday, Michigan announced the hirings of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, and defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan, confirming previous reports.

“I am excited about the quality of the coaches that we have assembled on the defensive side of the football,” Moore said in a statement. “Men of great character who enjoy the game of football and make excellent teachers. They will put our defensive players in the best possible position to succeed both on and off the field. I am excited to work with this outstanding group of assistant coaches as we strive for championships at the University of Michigan.”

Official.

Give a warm welcome to our defensive staff additions!#GoBlue | https://t.co/7QkznTJ681 pic.twitter.com/6V9IErfTe9

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 8, 2024

Aside from Hart, Michigan kept the rest of its offensive coaches, including wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy and Grant Newsome, who transitioned from tight ends to offensive line coach. Analyst J.B. Brown was named special teams coordinator.