Greg Harden, longtime Michigan Athletics mental coach, passed away after surgery complications at 75, the university announced in a statement last week. Harden worked at Michigan for 34 years, beginning in 1986. In 2019, he transitioned from full-time into an advisory role. He also spent the past three seasons working with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
During his more than four-decade-long career as an athletics counselor, Harden worked with thousands of student-athletes, including Michael Phelps. “My guy G. I’m so blessed for our time together. RIP,” Phelps wrote on his Instagram story over a picture of him and Harden. Phelps began speaking openly about his personal struggles with mental health nearly a decade ago and has since advocated frequently to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness in and out of the athletic world.
Bob Bowman also recognized the impact that Harden had on Phelps’ career, crediting Harden with helping him learn how to better communicate with Phelps. “He’s a miracle worker,” Bowman is quoted on Harden’s website. “He made me a better coach and a better person.”
Bowman also acknowledged Harden’s passing, writing on X “I’m devastated to hear this news. Greg Harden impacted my life in a profound way. RIP my friend.”
In addition to his work with Phelps, Harden worked with many other prominent athletes including Tom Brady, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, J.J McCarthy, Michelle McMahon, Emily Klueh (nee Brunemann), and Jalen Rose.
Their comments on Harden’s effect on their lives echo Phelps and Bowman’s words. “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,” said Brady in a statement. “He believed in me before I ever believed in myself,” McMahon wrote in her tribute, which Michigan shared along with tributes from many former student-athletes.
During his career, Harden became known as the “secret weapon” for Michigan athletes, a moniker the university used in their statement on his death as “his work behind the scenes [helped] Wolverine athletes achieve peak performance.”
Harden is survived by his wife, three adult children, and his sister.
University of Michigan’s Full Statement:
Long-time University of Michigan Administrator Greg Harden, best known as the mental coach for thousands of student-athletes who competed for the university and countless others around the world, has passed away after complications from surgery. During his time at Michigan, Harden became known in many circles as the school’s “Secret Weapon” for his work behind the scenes helping Wolverine athletes achieve peak performance.
He is survived by his wife Sheila, three adult children—Brian, Victor and Olivia—and his sister Lynette.
The family appreciates all the thoughts and prayers but they ask that you grant them some privacy as they deal with the loss of their loved one. In the future, they look forward to celebrating Greg’s life with many who were blessed to know him.
Rough couple months for Michigan – Jon Urbanchek, James Earl Jones and Greg Harden. All great Michigan men and more importantly, great human beings. RIP
As amazing and influential Greg was to the likes of Michael Phelps and Tom Brady, his most endearing quality was his ability to connect, mentor, and love ALL athletes he came in contact with. My youngest daughter played Water Polo at Michigan (Class of 2012) and she loved Greg. She met Greg when she was a Senior in high school and went to see Michigan play Stanford at Stanford. He was so excited to hear she had chosen to come to Michigan the following year to play for the Wolverines. Greg loved all the Women on the water polo team and they loved him!!
RIP Greg and may your memory be a blessing to your family and all those… Read more »