U-M starting running back Mike Hart has been logging internet time in keeping up with the head coach search. But he won’t need to spend any more time following his own program’s search as the University announced this afternoon that West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez will be the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

Here is a snippet of Athletic Director Bill Martin’s statement to the Associated Press:

“I am thrilled to have Rich Rodriguez as Michigan’s new coach. Rich brings an exciting brand of football to Michigan Stadium. We welcome the entire Rodriguez family to Ann Arbor.”

Coach Rodriguez will be formally introduced at a press conference tomorrow morning. MGoBlue.com will provide a live video stream of the press conference, and it will be archived for playback on demand. While Lloyd Carr will still coach the Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl, Rodriguez will not be at the helm for WVU’s Fiesta Bowl matchup against Oklahoma.

Good hire for U-M!

In another news, congratulations are in order as Mike received his degree from Michigan during today’s fall commencement exercises.