Jim Harding - Donald C. Graham Offensive Line - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Jim Harding

Title:
Donald C. Graham Offensive Line

Jim Harding is in his first season as Michigan's Donald C. Graham Offensive Line Coach in 2026. He arrived in Ann Arbor with 24 years of coaching experience, including the last 17 years as an offensive line coach and coordinator at the FBS level.

Harding was Utah's offensive line coach for 12 seasons from 2014-25 and spent two years as Co-Offensive Coordinator (2015-16) and nine years (2017-25) as assistant head coach during his tenure. His offensive lines developed a reputation for being among the most physical, technically sound units in the country and helped to produce some of Utah's most prolific offenses.

Harding has helped send 13 offensive linemen to the NFL, including six draft picks, highlighted by 2017 first-round selection Garrett Bolles (20th overall, Denver Broncos), the highest-drafted OL in Utah history.

Under his direction, 11 players achieved first-team All-Pac 12 or All-Big 12 honors, including 2025 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Spencer Fano. Fano became the Utes’ first Outland Trophy winner in 2025 and earned consensus All-American honors after picking up second-team recognition in 2024.

The rushing attack produced 30-plus touchdowns four times between 2019-25, ranking top-five in the FBS in 2021 (37 touchdowns), 2022 (38) and 2025 (41), when the team ranked second in the nation in scores via the ground game.

His offensive lines blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in eight of 12 seasons during his time in Salt Lake City, including a stretch of six straight seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher (2014-19). Utah backs Devontae Booker (Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award semifinalist), Joe Williams (Utah-record 156.3 rushing yards per game in 2016), Zack Moss (Utah-record 4,067 career rush yards; five other program records) and Tavion Thomas (Utah-record 21 rushing touchdowns in 2021), among other players, achieved great success behind Harding's offensive lines.

Prior to joining the Utah staff, Harding was the offensive line coach at Wyoming for five seasons (2009-13). The Cowboys allowed just 12 sacks in 2011 (11th-fewest, FBS) and center Nick Carlson was a three-time All-MWC selection under Harding's tutelage. Harding also served as the run game coordinator for the Cowboys in 2012. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2013, when Wyoming finished No. 22 in FBS in total offense (472.8 yards per game).

Harding began coaching in the collegiate ranks at Missouri, where he was an offensive graduate assistant from 2002-04. He earned his master's degree in career and technical education from Mizzou in 2004. From there, Harding spent four years at Troy Athens High School in southeast Michigan (three as defensive coordinator and one as head coach) before moving on to Wyoming.

A Maumee, Ohio, native, Harding started four years as an offensive tackle at Toledo, graduating in 2001 with his degree in secondary education. He set a Rockets record with 46 consecutive starts and was a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2000, when he captained a team that finished with a 10-1 record and a No. 25 ranking in the final national polls. Toledo won or shared three MAC West Division titles in Harding’s four seasons, with outright titles in 1997 and 1998.

Harding and his wife, Meredith, have two sons, Colton and Jackson.

The Harding File
Hometown: Maumee, Ohio
High School: Maumee
College: Toledo (secondary education, 2001), Missouri (Master's, career and technical education, 2004)
Family: Wife, Meredith; sons Colton and Jackson