Alford Named Running Backs Coach at Notre Dame
January 19, 2009 | Football
Jan. 19, 2009
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - - Tony Alford, former running backs coach at the University of Louisville, has been named running backs coach at the University of Notre Dame, Irish head coach Charlie Weis announced Monday.
"I'm very happy to add Tony Alford to our staff," Weis said. "In talking with several sources at the college and NFL levels for suggestions the first name that came up was Tony's. He came highly recommended because of his tremendous reputation as both a running backs coach and as a recruiter and is a great addition to our program.
"For the past 22 years, Tony has either played running back or coached running backs and the experience and knowledge gained over that time will definitely benefit our current and future ball carriers.
"We look forward to a smooth transition and welcome Tony and his family to the Notre Dame family."
Alford has spent his entire 14-year coaching career with running backs at five different schools and has produced a 1,000-yard rusher seven times. His stops include Louisville (2007-08), Iowa State (2002-06 and 1997-2000), Washington (2001), Kent State (1996) and Mount Union (1995). His assigned recruiting areas during his coaching career have included California, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Texas as well as Arizona, Colorado, Iowa and Michigan.
"Notre Dame is the epitome of college football," Alford said. "To join a place with the tradition and history of Notre Dame is very exciting and I'm grateful to Coach Weis for extending me this tremendous opportunity.
"I have several people in my life that I greatly respect and use as sounding boards for important life decisions such as changing jobs. When this position opened, I counseled with those individuals and they were as enthusiastic about this opportunity as I am. I am very flattered that Coach Weis considered me for this post and my family and I are thrilled to join the Notre Dame family."
This past season, one of Alford's pupils, redshirt freshman Victor Anderson, rushed for 1,047 yards with eight touchdowns and became the first Louisville running back to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards since 2005. Anderson was rewarded for his efforts as he was named the BIG EAST Conference Rookie of the Year and second-team all-BIG EAST. Anderson averaged 5.7 yard per carry and 87.2 yards per game and was the first Cardinal to earn BIG EAST Rookie-of-the-Year honors. He was also placed on Sporting News' Freshman All-America squad.
Louisville averaged 164.5 yards rushing in 2008 and scored 18 rushing TDs. Brock Bolen gained 505 yards and added seven rushing TDs while Bilal Powell tallied an addition 354 rushing yards with two TDs.
Alford replaces Mike Haywood who was named head coach at Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 23, following four seasons on the Irish staff.
