In a poignant announcement from the Michigan athletic department, Greg Harden, a revered University of Michigan administrator and mental coach, has passed away due to complications from surgery. Known widely as the university’s “Secret Weapon,” Harden dedicated his career to enhancing the performance of Wolverine athletes and many others globally.
Harden underwent a medical procedure on Monday, but unfortunately, complications arose, leading to his passing. The Michigan football team and athletic department have issued a statement requesting thoughts and prayers for Harden and his family while respecting their need for privacy during this time.
With a career spanning over five decades, Harden was a life coach, motivational speaker, executive consultant, and social worker. Although he retired from his role as Associate Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Counseling in 2020, he continued to support athletes and teams at Michigan. Recently, he also served as a peak performance coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Describing his approach, Harden said, “My real obsession is to convince an individual that they must determine for themselves what sort of man, what sort of woman they want to be. The goal is to make people experts on themselves.” His impact was profound, having worked with notable figures such as Desmond Howard, J.J. McCarthy, Tom Brady, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, and Olympians Michael Phelps, Emily Brunemann, and Jeff Porter.
Harden’s influence extended beyond individual athletes; he played a critical role in developing Michigan football’s student-athlete and staff development strategies. Hired by hall of fame coach Bo Schembechler in 1986, Harden’s collaborative approach strengthened ties between the athletic department and the broader university community.
A Detroit native and University of Michigan alumnus, Harden published his debut book, *Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive*, in 2023, which became a bestseller. He is survived by his wife Sheila, three children—Brian, Victor, and Olivia—and his sister Lynette. His passing is a significant loss to the Michigan athletic community and beyond.
