Greg Harden, who provided guidance to many individuals at the University of Michigan, including Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Desmond Howard, and J.J. McCarthy, has passed away at the age of 75.
According to Michigan athletics spokesman Dave Ablauf, Harden died on Thursday due to complications from surgery, as informed by his family.
Harden was hired in 1986 by the late Bo Schembechler, a Hall of Fame football coach, as a staff consultant and counselor for the student-athlete personal development program.
Brady, a former Michigan quarterback who went on to win seven Super Bowls in his 22-year career, said, “He meant the world to me and I could never have had the success I had without the time, energy, love and support he had given me.”
Howard, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1991, was among the first Wolverines to see Harden as a mentor and friend.
“Greg brought wisdom, joy and his calming nature to every encounter,” Howard said. “His presence will be missed by all of us.
“Although my family and I are heartbroken, we hold on to the lessons, guidance and memories that will forever be Greg’s legacy. We are blessed beyond measure to have had him in our lives.”
Harden, originally from Detroit, earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Michigan.
Phelps, who trained and lived in Ann Arbor after gaining fame at the 2004 Athens Olympics, worked on his mental health with Harden.
Harden retired from his position as director of counseling for Michigan’s athletic department in 2020 but continued to advise student-athletes and worked as a peak performance coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He published his first book, “Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive,” last year.
Michigan athletics announced Harden’s death and shared statements from many who knew him.
