Tony Alford
American football coach
55
APPEARANCES
3
PODCASTS
Sep 29, 2026
John JansenHOST
Where have some of the struggles been? And where do you see some of the bright spots?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Well, first of all, I think some of the struggles have been just the continuity of the offense line.
Tony AlfordGUEST
A little bit more quarterback run-generated offense than what we had been accustomed to in the previous years.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So there's a lot of stuff that goes into all the RPOs and pulling the ball and throwing it here and throwing it there.
7 MINS LATER
Tony AlfordGUEST
I find a local cigar shop, and that's the, that's the first place I went, [laughs] right? I left the office and went right to the cigar shop, and hadn't even been to the hotel yet.
13 MINS LATER
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Dan Lanning) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_147UNKNOWN
When you were looking at guys on tape in the portal, what stood out with him about his, his-
Tony AlfordGUEST
He, you know, I, you know, he was a guy that, that I, um, looked at when he was in high school at Gopher Prep.
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, but then, you know, he tried to, they tried to move him to tight end and they ended up get, moving to running back.
speaker_147UNKNOWN
Is it important to find a back that has the size that CJ has to help make up for the loss of some of that?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Joe Cullen) Elite Edition August 6
Aug 6 · 5h 23m
speaker_114GUEST
Do you wanna have different styles?
Tony AlfordGUEST
We wanna take guys with different strengths, uh, whether they're big guys, small guys, pass catchers, in between the tackle runners.
speaker_114GUEST
Is it important to find the back that matches size that CJ has to help you in that red zone?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, you know, I have my own opinion on the size thing when it come in the red zone.
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Jaylon McFadden August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 26m
speaker_48UNKNOWN
Can you evaluate the year James had, both in what he put on the field on Saturdays, but also what he was doing behind the scenes in practices and whatnot?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, I think, I think, um, one thing me and James have discussed about that, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Tony AlfordGUEST
And I told him last year, I said, "You're gonna learn from these two guys, and when your time come, you're gonna appreciate it.
speaker_48UNKNOWN
Is what you did with Trey and with Sean ideal, where essentially equal in terms of touches, like give or take obviously, how the game flow is going? Or is there room in this offense for there to be one lead guy again?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Garrett Wilson)3 Elite Edition August 5
Aug 5 · 5h 23m
speaker_80UNKNOWN
Is it important to find a back that has the size like CJ has to help make up for what they lost this year?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, you know, I have my own opinion on the size thing when it come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon- He's my, uh, red zone, uh, runner, short yardage runner as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed 210, 205, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being...
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, some guys just got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So, um, that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman Bo Jackson.
speaker_83UNKNOWN
Right.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Ezekiel Elliott) August 5 Massive
Aug 5 · 5h 25m
speaker_6UNKNOWN
Was it important to find the back that had the size that C.J. has to help make that
Tony AlfordGUEST
play? No, I have my own opinion on the size that we're going to come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed a 210, 205, which is not very big, but they ain't got nothing to do with game.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He played with a lot of aggression down here running, so that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
speaker_11UNKNOWN
When you look at, obviously, freshman running back coming in here, but what do you need to see from a freshman to feel comfortable with them playing?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Ezekiel Elliott) August
Aug 5 · 5h 25m
speaker_26UNKNOWN
Was it important to find a back that had the size that CJ has to help
Tony AlfordGUEST
you? No, I have my own opinion on the size that we're going to come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and he's my – red zone, running short yards, running as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed a 210, 205, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with deep.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He played with a lot of aggression down here running, so that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
Tony AlfordGUEST
It's just whoever has a nose for getting in the end zone, that's who I'm going to roll with.
speaker_10UNKNOWN
When you look at, obviously, freshman running back coming in, Bo and Isaiah are here, but what do you need to see from a freshman to feel comfortable with them playing?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Parris Campbell) Elite Edition August 5
Aug 5 · 5h 24m
speaker_57UNKNOWN
Is it important to find the back that has the size like CJ has to help make up for what Austin had?
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and I, he's my, uh, red zone, uh, running short yards runs as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed two ten, two oh five, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being, you know ...
Tony AlfordGUEST
Some guys has got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
speaker_26UNKNOWN
When you look at obviously, you know, freshman running backs coming in, Bo and Isaiah are here, but what do you need to see from a freshman to, to feel comfortable with them playing sooner rather than later?
Tony AlfordGUEST
The first thing, will they own the ball? Will they, will they do their little small detail things, take care of the ball.
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, the second thing would be, um, how good are they in, um, pass pro? 'Cause that's the hardest thing for high school backs.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Joe Cullen) Elite Edition August 5
Aug 5 · 5h 23m
speaker_23UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
1 HR 22 MINS LATER
speaker_23UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Ezekiel Elliott) Elite Edition August 4
Aug 4 · 5h 25m
Carson HinzmanGUEST
Um, you know, everyone's kinda trying to figure out their, their new roles, and I think he's been, uh-
speaker_97UNKNOWN
Do you wanna have different styles?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (CJ Donaldson) August 4 Massive
Aug 4 · 5h 25m
speaker_81UNKNOWN
Was it important to find a back that has the size that CJ has to help make up for the losses that you had?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, you know, I have my own opinion on the size thing when it come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon and I, he's my, uh, red zone, um, running and short yardage guy as a freshman, and he probably weighed two ten, two oh five, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being...
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, some guys just got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So, um, that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman Bo Jackson.
speaker_81UNKNOWN
Right.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, you earn a spot on special teams, then, then you, then you earn the right to be a, a Buckeye RB, so they get out there on the field.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Jonah Jackson) Elite Edition August 4
Aug 4 · 5h 21m
speaker_81UNKNOWN
Is it important to find a back that has the size that CJ has to help make up for whatever losses you might have?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, you know, I have my own opinion on the size thing when it come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and I-- he's my, uh, red zone, uh, running short yardage runs as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed two ten, two oh five, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being-- You know, some guys has got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So, um, that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
speaker_81UNKNOWN
Right.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, you earn a spot on special teams, then, then you, then you earn the right to be a, a Buckeye RB.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Caden Curry) Elite Edition August 4
Aug 4 · 5h 19m
13 MINS LATER
speaker_22UNKNOWN
Was it important to find the back that has the size like CJ has to help make that
Tony AlfordGUEST
I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and he's my – red zone, running short yards when he was a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed 210, 205, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with game.
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Jaylon McFadden August
Aug 4 · 5h 26m
speaker_50UNKNOWN
Can you evaluate the year James had, both in what he put on the field on Saturdays, but also what he was doing behind the scenes in practices?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, I think, I think, um, one thing me and James have discussed about that, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Tony AlfordGUEST
And I told him last year, I said, "You're gonna learn from these two guys, and when your time come, you're gonna appreciate it.
speaker_53UNKNOWN
Is what you did with Trey and Quinton ideal, where essentially equal in terms of touches, like give or take obviously how the game flow is going, or is there room in this offense for there to be one lead guy again?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Tyler Bowen) Elite Edition August 3
Aug 3 · 5h 26m
speaker_42UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
2 HRS 21 MINS LATER
speaker_42UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Taylor Decker)3 Elite Edition August 3
Aug 3 · 5h 23m
speaker_86UNKNOWN
Is it important to find a back that has the size that CJ has to help in that part of the offense?
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and I, he's my, uh, red zone, uh, running short yardage runs as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighted 210, 225, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being ...
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, some guys just got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
speaker_88UNKNOWN
Right.
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Ezekiel Elliott) August 3 Massive
Aug 3 · 5h 25m
speaker_7UNKNOWN
Was it important to find a back that had the size that CJ has to help
Tony AlfordGUEST
you? No, I have my own opinion on the size that we're going to come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighed a 210, 205, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with game.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He played with a lot of aggression down here running, so that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
speaker_12UNKNOWN
what do you need to see from a freshman to feel comfortable with them playing?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Ezekiel Elliott) August
Aug 3 · 5h 25m
Carson HinzmanGUEST
Is it important to find a back that has the size that CJ has to help you in that area also?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, you know, I have my own opinion on the size thing when it come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and I-- he's my, uh, red zone, uh, runner and short yardage runner as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighted two ten, two oh five, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being...
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, some guys just got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So, um, that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Dre'Mont Jones) Elite Edition August 3
Aug 3 · 5h 23m
speaker_35UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
40 MINS LATER
speaker_35UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Donny Jackson) August
Aug 3 · 5h 25m
speaker_88UNKNOWN
Is it important to find a back that matches size like CJ has to help make up for what they lost in the off season?
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and I, he's my, uh, red zone, um, running short yardage runs as a freshman.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He probably weighted 210, 225, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being...
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, some guys has got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So, um, that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
speaker_88UNKNOWN
When you look at, obviously, you know, freshman running backs coming in, Bo and Isaiah are here, but what do you need to see from a freshman to, to feel comfortable with them playing so early in the program?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Charlie Dickey) August
Aug 3 · 5h 26m
speaker_52UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
27 MINS LATER
speaker_52UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Dre'Mont Jones) Elite Edition August 2
Aug 2 · 5h 23m
speaker_37UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
29 MINS LATER
speaker_37UNKNOWN
I feel like they play the same.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Carter Lowe) Elite Edition August 2
Aug 2 · 5h 15m
speaker_4UNKNOWN
back that had the size like CJ has to help make up for the
Tony AlfordGUEST
But that ain't got nothing to do with being, some guys have got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
He played with a lot of aggression down here running, so that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman, Bo Jackson.
Tony AlfordGUEST
It's just whoever has a nose for getting in the end zone, that's who I'm gonna roll with anyway.
speaker_9UNKNOWN
When you look at, obviously, freshmen running back coming in, Bo and Isaiah here, but what do you need to see from a freshman to feel comfortable with them playing?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (CJ Donaldson) August
Aug 2 · 5h 25m
speaker_76UNKNOWN
Is it important to find a back that has the size that CJ has to help make up for what they lost this year?
Tony AlfordGUEST
Um, you know, I have my own opinion on the size thing when it come in the red zone.
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, um, I had Jordan James out of Oregon, and I, he's my, uh, red zone, uh, runner and short yardage man as a freshman, and he probably weighed 210, 225, which is not very big, but that ain't got nothing to do with being...
Tony AlfordGUEST
You know, some guys just got a nose for sticking the ball in the end zone, and he played with a lot of aggression down here running.
Tony AlfordGUEST
So, um, that could be CJ, that could be James, or it could be the freshman Bo Jackson.
speaker_76UNKNOWN
When you look at, obviously, you know, freshman running backs coming in, you know, Bo and Isaiah are here, but what do you need to see from a freshman to, to feel comfortable with them playing so early?
Tony AlfordGUEST
I mean, the first thing, will they own the ball? You know, will they, will they do the little small detail things, take care of the ball? Um, the second thing will be, um, how good are they in, uh, pass pro? 'Cause that's the hardest thing for high school backs, 'cause they're not really doing the high school level.
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