Report: Ohio State is expected to hire UCLA assistant for similar role

The Ohio State Buckeyes have found their new offensive line coach, according to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel. UCLA OL coach Justin Frye is reportedly headed to Columbus following several days of speculation.

Justin Frye started his tenure at UCLA in February of 2018 as offensive line coach. Just a few months later, in December of 2018, he received a promotion to UCLA’s offensive coordinator/offensive line coach.

In 2021, UCLA rushed for at least 200 yards in all eight wins and its average of 215.1 yards per game ranked 17th nationally. Zach Charbonnet led all Pac-12 running backs with seven 100-yard games during the season. UCLA improved its rushing yards average per game (230.6) by more than 70 yards per contest to rank 12th in the nation and second in the Pac-12.

The Bruins rated 21st nationally and second in the conference in total offense (455.0) and 20th in the nation, second in the league, in passing efficiency (154.68).

Prior to UCLA, Justin Frye spent five seasons as the run game coordinator/offensive line coach at Boston College. He also worked at Temple for two seasons after several seasons as a grad assistant at Florida and Indiana.

As a player, Justin Frye lined up along the offensive line for Indiana in the 2002-06 seasons.

Buckeyes add Justin Frye, promote Brian Hartline

Ohio State made a big move on Sunday, announcing the promotion of wide receivers coach Brian Hartline to passing game coordinator. The program’s release praised Hartline for his work both on the field and in recruiting over the past four years.

“Hartline has been a rising star among college coaches since becoming a full-time staff member in 2018 after one season as an offensive analyst,” the release reads. “He was a standout receiver for Ohio State from 2005-08, graduated in 2009 and spent seven seasons in the National Football League, six of them with the Miami Dolphins and one as a Cleveland Brown. He played in 104 NFL games with 73 starts and produced 344 career receptions for 4,766 yards and 14 touchdowns.”

“Brian is a dedicated Ohio State Buckeye,” Day said. “He is the top wide receiver’s coach in college football and he has continued to develop as an offensive coach to the point where we want him to have more of an impact on our offensive game plan. His taking over as passing game coordinator will allow for that.”

Ohio State parts ways with Studrawa

Ohio State began the search for a new offensive line coach after parting ways with Greg Studrawa. He spent six seasons with the Buckeyes. He coached a group that included future NFL players Josh Myers, Pat Elflein and Billy Price, amongst others.

In addition to eight NFL draft picks, he helped develop one of college football’s most talented offensive lines in 2021. The line featured Nicholas Petit-Frere and Thayer Munford, among the top potential NFL prospects in 2022.

Greg Studrawa had previously dealt with health issues that required back surgery earlier in Ohio State’s season. It was thought that he might elect to retire following the Rose Bowl win over Utah.