Written by Evan McShane (@Very_reasonaable)

Since Mike Hart took over as Indiana’s running backs coach back in 2017, he has been trying to return the Hoosiers’ ground game to the level of success they had during the years of Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. Now, in his fourth year as running backs coach and first season as associate head coach, Hart has a stable of backs ready to break out. Can the Hoosiers build on last year’s success?

“I think it comes down to a lot of things. First and foremost, we have to do our job in the backfield and tell these guys, if it's a block for zero you got to get three,” Hart explained. “If it's a block for five you've got to get eight, and that just comes with yards after contact.” Hart believes IU has the weapons on offense to be dominant, but it’s up to the staff to get the most of them. “We have the guys to do it, we have the offensive line to do it. We have a lot of guys that have played,” Hart said. “The O-line is good enough, the running backs are good enough. It comes down to us, the staff, in putting in the correct game plan to get these guys where they need to go and utilize their talents.” Hart holds himself personally accountable for the success of the rushing unit.

In Hart’s view, it’s the coach’s full responsibility to put their players in a position to succeed. “Holistically as an offense that comes down to play calling, blocking up front, where to do things necessary to move the sticks. Each game plan is going to be different.” Hart understands the nature of a balanced run game as well as anyone. The former college halfback wants to run the ball as much as possible, but if he keeps seeing second and ten or third and long, he knows he has to adjust. “So, we need to stay ahead of the sticks on offense. We need to control what we need to control and as long as we're scoring, we can stick with the game plan, which is to run the ball.” Hart elaborates, “We wanted to run the ball last year, the year before that. That comes down to controlling the clock and we have some really good running backs. As a staff, we need to come up with a great game plan in the run game.”

Hart will be working side-by-side with newly minted offensive coordinator, Nick Sheridan. “He took the bull by the horns and ran with it. He's going to be a great coordinator this year for us,” Hart said of Sheridan. “He's a great leader and I'm happy to work for him and with him. He's a guy that is really, really smart and really understands the game.” One young coach with nothing but praise for another. This type of cohesion between coaches is what Allen envisioned when he assembled his staff following the departure of former OC Kalen DeBoer.

The combination of camaraderie and accountability understood by IU’s coaches translates down to the players. “We always tell our players they need to get better every day. If you don't get better somebody's going to take your job. Same thing as coaches, right? If we don't try to get better every day we're not going to be here long, somebody's going to come take our job.” Hart succinctly explained. “So, we're trying our best to put our guys in the best position possible. That comes down to schemes, and film study and evaluating what we did in the past.” Hart has the formula for success down pat, now it’s just a matter of execution on game day.

The 2020 Hoosier backfield will be led by junior running back Stevie Scott III and sophomore Sampson James. Hart is well aware of the potential these two have. “With Stevie and Sampson, I think the one thing you know is that you have two guys that can really play at a high level. That gives you some security and that also makes everyone else work harder to get on the field.” Those two backs will have support from David Ellis, Ahrod Lloyd, and Tim Baldwin. During the offseason, it’s the internal competition within position groups where confidence and trust is built.

Sampson James momentarily entered the transfer portal this offseason, but ultimately decided to return to IU. Hart’s sole focus for James is on 2020. “The main thing with Sampson is that he needs to stay healthy. That comes into the offseason. Last year when he came in, he was hurt from high school so that set him back a little bit and he didn't get a spring. He just needs to keep his body healthy.” If he can stay healthy, James is poised for a breakout sophomore season. With this in mind, Hart will have to be diligent in how he distributes carries among his backs. “We just need to do the best to keep these guys healthy and get them through a whole Big Ten season.”

Another name to watch for is David Ellis. The electric young player burst on the scene as a freshman last year in the return game. He also caught 16 passes and ran the ball several times. This season, the Hoosiers plan to incorporate Ellis more in the running game. “David's one of the best athletes on the team. I think if you ask anybody, they'll tell you that,” Hart spoke glowingly of Ellis’ raw ability. “As you know, he's the starting kickoff returner. He played a lot of slot last year and in the backfield. He's just a guy that we're going to see what he can do.” Whether as a runner or in the passing game, the Hoosiers simply need to get Ellis the ball. “He played running back in high school, was recruited as a running back/athlete. He's an explosive play guy that we need to find a way to get the ball to in whatever way we can,” Hart said.

Of course, all eyes will be on Stevie Scott III. The veteran running back enters his junior season just shy of 2,000 career rushing yards. Coach Hart senses an opportunity for greatness. “[Scott] grew from when he was a freshman, just knowledge of football. He's grown, he's a smart kid. He's a kid that I know loves football and wants to be a great player, play in the NFL one day.” One skill Scott is working hard to improve is his pass catching ability. “He's a guy that wants to be on the field every down. He wants to be a third-down back. He wants to be the guy split out. So that's something he's taken and ran with in trying to get better.” Hart knows that adding this skill to his game could really elevate Scott’s offensive potential.

Another goal Hart has for Scott III is to improve his knowledge of the game and ability to read the defense. Hart explained, “Just continue to work on the little things, reads, defensive scheme, where should the ball go, who's blocking who.” Pre-snap reads can separate a good player from a great one. Hart continued, “Just develop his knowledge of the game. He knows who to line up with, so he knows who the unblocked defender is, and he can be ready to make that guy miss.” Hart sees special things in Scott’s future. Hopefully that vision can come to life on the field in 2020.

On paper, the pieces are in place. Indiana’s running game, led by coach Mike Hart, projects to have both talent and depth. A combination of power and speed. Experience with Scott III and youthfulness with James and Ellis. How will this run game be complimented by the arm of quarterback Mike Penix? Only time will tell. Still months away from opening kickoff, Hoosier fans can dream for now.

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