Breaking: Ohio State RB coach Tony Alford is leaving Columbus for a position nearly two hundred miles north in Ann Arbor. 

Alford has spent the last nine years at Ohio State and produced a stable of elite running backs during his tenure. Ezekiel Elliott (2015), JK Dobbins, and TreVeyon Henderson headline his group. However, after not receiving an extension and reportedly having his job in question this offseason, archrival Michigan began targeting him to fill the same role.

Sherrone Moore replaced Jim Harbaugh as head coach for the reigning National Champions and quickly dealt with a total staff overhaul due to departures to the NFL following Harbaugh’s announcement. Moore adding Alford is a rare move to see a coach move to the other side of the rivalry. Most notably and recently, Al Washington and Greg Mattison made the change from Michigan to Ohio State.

The Running Back position is available in Ann Arbor because of Mike Hart’s exit. As Sherrone Moore continues to assemble his first staff, Alford will be a key addition. His experience and recruiting prowess will be invaluable to the first-year head coach as he’s worked under Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly, Charlie Weis, and Ryan Day. At the same time, transferring to your archrival will not sit well with the fans in Columbus.

John Brice of Football Scoop first reported this news.