Sources Confirm That IU Will Hire Mike Hart as Running Backs Coach

Sources confirm that Mike Hart will be hired as IU's new running backs coach Image: Mark Bugnaski | MLive.com)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

It was only a matter of time before former IU running backs coach Deland McCullough was lured by an offer he simply couldn’t refuse. Unfortunately for IU, that offer came from West Coast power USC. McCullough made the move to Los Angeles and Tom Allen was forced to find a new running backs coach right before his first spring practice began.

Sources confirm (Matt Weaver of Peegs.com broke the news) that after a brief search, the Hoosiers have hired one of the best running backs in Big Ten history: Mike Hart. Hart played at Michigan from 2004 to 2007, setting school records for rushing attempts and rushing yards. He had 28 games with at least 100 yards rushing, finished fifth in 2007’s Heisman Trophy voting and was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection. After his standout career as a Wolverine, he played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before retiring in 2010.

Hart began his coaching career in 2011 as an offensive quality control coach for Eastern Michigan University. Hart was promoted to running backs coach for the 2012 and 2013 seasons before accepting a position under PJ Fleck as the running backs coach at Western Michigan. He was in Kalamazoo for two seasons before returning home to New York and accepting a position as the running backs coach for Dino Babers at Syracuse University.

The hiring of Mike Hart completes a total overhaul of IU’s offensive coaching staff as he joins Mike DeBord, Darren Hiller, Nick Sheridan and Grant Heard as new additions following the hiring of head coach Tom Allen.