Western Michigan running backs coach Mike Hart leaves WMU for same position at Syracuse

Western Michigan running backs coach Mike Hart is joining Dino Babers' at Syracuse according to SI.com.

Hart, a Syracuse, New York native himself, spent two seasons as the running backs coach for Western Michigan, and in that time the Broncos produced back to back MAC Freshman of the Year at the running back position, including Jarvion Franklin who also won the MAC Player of the Year in his first season. The Bronco rushing attack in 2015 was one of the best in the conference, boasting over 200 yards per game between a trio of backs including Franklin, Jamauri Bogan and LeVante Bellamy.

Hart's success in creating some of the best rushing attacks ever at WMU should not come as a surprise as his pedigree certainly speaks for itself. Hart is most known for his time spent as a standout at the University of Michigan where he still holds the school record for rushing yards, totaling more than five thousand. It was only a matter of time before the former Wolverine made the jump to a Power Five program. Hart's move to the ACC perhaps marks the end of his time in the MAC as a positional coach having spent the previous five seasons in the conference between Eastern and Western Michigan as a running backs coach.

Hart is the second member of P.J. Fleck's staff to follow the former Bowling Green head coach to Syracuse as Defensive Line coach Vinson Reynolds recently accepted the same position for the Orange. Time will tell the lasting effect this may have on the program, including how drastically it may affect the progress the Broncos have made on the recruiting trail. WMU is currently on pace to haul in the top rated class in the MAC for the third year in a row, which could likely change depending on which players agreed to come to campus in hopes of being coached by one of the best running backs in college football history.

It doesn't take long to see the impact Hart made on the football program in his short time at WMU, and Bronco fans likely hope its a lasting one as Fleck and company search for a replacement to continue the strides made in the WMU backfield.