Ryan Day discusses ‘collaboration’ with offensive coordinator Brian Hartline

Brian Hartline is the new offensive coordinator for Ohio State, recently earning a promotion. He will still be around to coach wide receivers but head coach Ryan Day now has him more involved in preparation on a weekly basis. Day is still expected to call plays on Saturdays but he cannot comprise the plan all by himself.

On3’s J.D. PicKell had Day on a recent episode of the Hard Count, asking what the operation will look like with him and Hartline. The Ohio State headman admitted there will be split duties between the two, a strategy dating back to when Urban Meyer was still in Columbus. There was even some coach speak thrown into the answer although Day truly believes the Buckeyes will follow it.

“We work together,” Day said. “It’s a collaboration, always has been since we got here. It started off with Coach Meyer, myself, Kevin Wilson, and then as time went on, it changed. Now, it’s with Justin Frye and Brian Hartline, and myself. Just a lot of different minds in that room. We’re going to try the best we can to take the guys that we have and put them in the best position to be successful.

“I know that’s cliche but it’s real and that’s the art of coaching. So, we’re not just going to say ‘here’s a bunch of plays, these look cool. They work for somebody else, let’s just put them on the field.’ We don’t look at it like that. We try to identify what our guy’s strengths are and play to them.”

There is something, personnel-wise, Day and Hartline must figure out before scheming together the best possible plays to win games. It’s the quarterback, with nobody officially being named the starter. Kyle McCord is certainly the favorite but Devin Brown competed with him throughout spring camp.

One certainty Ohio State does have, thanks to Hartline, is Marvin Harrison Jr. Viewed as the best wide receiver in all college football, there won’t be much Day does not ask Harrison to do this season. Getting the best out of him during the 2023 season would mean something truly magical took place.

Indiana serves as the Buckeyes’ season opener. Day and Hartline have likely begun their summer by working together, drawing up a plan to take down the Hoosiers. That’s the goal for the 2023 season — one that will be considered a true team effort both on the field and behind the scenes.