Where is Mike Hart now? More about legendary Michigan running back who made "little brother" rivalry comments

Mike Hart is without a doubt one of the best running backs to have ever appeared for the Michigan Wolverines. He played for the program from 2004 to 2007 and made a name for himself before transitioning to the professional stage.

He currently works as a running back coach at Michigan. The Syracuse-born running back is famous for his "little brother" dig against in-state rival, Michigan State, during his playing days.

This comment really ramped up the rivalry between the two colleges.

Mike Hart's "little brother" comment

Sports have always been a breeding ground for fierce rivalries, but when the competitive spirit spills over into personal jabs, it can spark controversy.

Upon assuming the position of head football coach at Michigan State in 2007, Mark Dantonio inherited a challenging situation.

The Spartans had struggled against their in-state rival, losing nine of their previous 11 encounters. This included a discouraging streak of five consecutive defeats. The Wolverines would go on record a 28-24 comeback win in Dantonio's first experience of the rivalry.

A post-game comment from Mike Hart had a lasting effect on the rivalry. After blowing a 10-point lead in the final seven minutes, the running back said:

"Sometimes you get your little brother excited when you're playing basketball and stuff, let them get the lead, and then you just come back and take it back."

I love how ESPN showed Mike Hart calling MSU little brother and then *Boom* Tony Lippett 70 yd TD 😂 https://t.co/apMMp1QVdl

Mike Hart's comment, though seemingly harmless at the time, had lasting implications. It created a narrative that Michigan State was inferior to Michigan, perpetuating a sense of disrespect and animosity. A visibly furious Dantonio replied:

"This game is an important game. So, if they want to mock us all how they want to mock us — I'm telling them, it's not over. So, they can print that cr*p all they want all over their locker room. It's not over, and it will never be over here. It's just starting. Let's just remember, pride comes before the fall."

Indeed, the following years witnessed a remarkable turnaround in the rivalry between Michigan State and Michigan. Fondly referred to as "little brother," Michigan State emerged stronger and began to assert its dominance over its "big brother."

From 2008 to 2014, the Michigan State Spartans experienced a period of significant success. They posted an impressive 6-1 record against the Wolverines, effectively establishing their superiority in the rivalry. In this case, pride certainly did come before the fall.

Since Mike Hart’s “Little Brother” comments back in 2007, Michigan is 4-10 against their little brother 😬 https://t.co/j7KHBTA4PL

Mike Hart's college football career at Michigan

Hart was an outstanding running back right from his high school days. He established a new national career record for rushing touchdowns with 204, career points for non-quarterback with 1,246, and also finished second in career rushing yards with 11,045.

During the 2004 season, Hart accomplished a remarkable feat. He set a Michigan record for the highest number of rushing yards in a season by a freshman. He tallied an impressive 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns, quickly becoming a Michigan fan favorite.

As a sophomore during the 2005 season, Mike Hart experienced a significant setback due to a hamstring injury. He managed to start eight out of Michigan's 12 games. Despite the challenges, he concluded the season with a total of 662 yards and four touchdowns.

In the 2006 season, Hart showcased his exceptional skills by accumulating 1,562 rushing yards (which stood as the fifth-highest single-season total in the history of Michigan football) and 14 touchdowns. These outstanding performances earned him the team’s co-MVP.

Mike Hart's exceptional performance in 2006 earned him recognition as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and an impressive fifth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He rounded up his college career in 2007 with 1,361 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.