Former RBs coach Mike Hart received a giant pay day from Indiana, per report

Former Syracuse football running backs coach Mike Hart received “an enormous raise” to leave the Orange to take the same position at Indiana, Syracuse coach Dino Babers told the media on Tuesday.

“I don’t want to get into his personal business, but it was a very big financial raise,” Babers said.

Former Indiana running backs coach Deland McCullough earned more than $158,000 last season. Syracuse does not release assistant coaches earnings.

Hart, a Syracuse native who set several Onondaga Central High School records before going on to star at Michigan, spent just one year coaching at Syracuse before deciding to leave for Indiana.

“I'm excited to be back in the state of Indiana,” Hart said in a statement at the time of the hire. “I jumped at the opportunity to work with Tom Allen. I believe I will become a better coach and a better man on his staff. Joining Mike DeBord, my offensive coordinator in college, and Nick Sheridan, my former teammate, made this decision a no-brainer.”

Despite Hart being viewed as a hot commodity among assistant coaches, Syracuse’s rushing attack struggled in his lone season with the Orange. Syracuse finished the 2016 season ranked No. 115 in yards per game (119.6) and No. 123 in yards per carry (3.2).

While spring practice is already underway, Babers told Syracuse.com’s Nate Mink he won’t rush his coaching search to find Hart’s replacement, viewing the process as something that shouldn’t be hurried.

“I don't want to make a fast hire just because spring ball is starting,” Babers said. “I really want to take my time with this. I think if you take your time, you'll find a natural fit, and these coaches are going to be here a long time.”

There are a number of coaches Babers could look to, including former associates, other members of the Baylor coaching tree or those with Syracuse ties.