A University of Michigan assistant football coach collapsed on the sidelines during a college football game Saturday and had to be carted off the field and transported to a hospital.
Running backs coach Mike Hart fell to the ground during the first half of the Michigan Wolverines game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, and was taken away for medical evaluation.
The 36-year-old coach was taken to a hospital, the team told a staff writer for The Athletic. Hart gave two thumbs up as he was taken out on cart. He had reportedly suffered a seizure just after a Hoosier touchdown.
Scary situation in Bloomington to see Mike Hart collapse on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/i6h3Be7KoX
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 8, 2022
As the situation unfolded, players from both Big Ten teams kneeled before the coach as he was taken from the field. After the incident, reporters noted an emotional scene on the sideline.
“Hugs on the @UMichFootball sideline after RB coach Mike Hart was carted off the field,” FOX College Football reported.
Mike Hart is back in Ann Arbor, and hopes to rejoin the team soon. 🙏 https://t.co/aKHIbXbk0K
— David Cone (@davidadamcone) October 10, 2022
Hart, who is in his second year of coaching for the Wolverines, had previously coached with the Hoosiers, where he worked from 2017-2020. According to CBS Sports, this was the first game for Hart to face his old team in Indiana.
The running backs coach, originally from New York, played running back for Michigan from 2004-2007, where he racked up over 5,000 career yards and 41 rushing touchdowns before he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2008. Hart retired from the NFL in 2010.
“He was effective since the day he arrived on campus, rushing for a freshman record 1,455 yards in 2004 — Michigan’s last Big Ten title. He was hampered by a hamstring injury his sophomore season and missed four games,” Michigan Live noted in 2020.
As a coach, Hart is reportedly close with his athletes, including running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. He reportedly texts Corum, who Hart sees as similar to himself at that age, Bible verses for encouragement and has hosted him for Thanksgiving.
“He acts like me, he is me,” Hart recently told Michigan Live. “He just eats better than I did.”
Corum also said he appreciated Hart’s coaching attention.
“I’m so glad he’s my coach,” Corum said. “I’ve learned a lot from him on the field and off the field. … I’m so glad we’ve formed the relationship that we have.”
Michigan, ranked number four in the nation, has been off to a strong start to their season this year under head coach Jim Harbaugh and entered into Saturday’s game undefeated.