COLUMBUS, Ohio — This year’s edition of The Game — an annual meeting between Ohio State football and Michigan — will be a touch different from the last nine.
Tony Alford will be inside Ohio Stadium, which is nothing new. But instead of representing the home team, he’ll be coaching the Buckeyes’ hated rival.
As a guest Wednesday on The John McCalister Report, he dove into his departure.
“This is such a transient job that we have,” Alford said. “We all know that going into it. Nine years is like an eternity in the coaching profession. I was very fortunate for those nine years, as I said earlier. I just think it was time. I think it was time for them, (OSU coach) Ryan Day and Ohio State, and it was time for Tony Alford.
“I don’t think it was any one party saying, ‘Screw you.’ It was never any of that. I just think for both parties, I think we both knew it. It was just time. I can tell you, I’m as happy as I’ve been in a long time as far as in my coaching profession.”
Latest Ohio State Buckeyes news
Alford’s stint in Columbus began in 2015 when he was hired by former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer after five seasons at Notre Dame. Alford remained on staff when Day took over as acting head coach during the 2018 season and ultimately became the permanent head coach.
“I’m deeply indebted to Ohio State and the Ohio State community,” Alford said. “Without that opportunity, the nine years that I spent at Ohio State, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to have gone to Michigan.”
Alford helped bolster Ohio State’s running backs room before his departure, landing a commitment from Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins to join a backfield featuring TreVeyon Henderson. However, he won’t be coaching them when the 2024 campaign opens Aug. 31 against Akron at Ohio Stadium.
“I just think it was time for everyone involved — well, I know it was time for everyone involved,” Alford said. “Not think, I know.”
Alford will be working under Sherrone Moore as he replaces Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
“Sherrone Moore and that staff have been nothing but open arms and kind and great to me — really good people,” Alford said. “I mean, unbelievable people. I’m grateful for them for embracing me and bringing me from the rival, if you will, in the way that they have.”
If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.