Charlotte hires Mike Hartline to be WR coach, passing game coordinator

Canton (Ohio) GlenOak product Mike Hartline spent five seasons at Kentucky from 2006-10 with the last three as the starting quarterback for head coach Rich Brooks (2008-09) and Joker Phillips (2010). The former three-star prospect tallied 5,680 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns during his time in Lexington.

After taking a couple of years off, Hartline would begin a coaching career that would take him to four four different stops over an eight-year run. That has now turned into a full-time sideline gig. New Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi has added Hartline to his offensive staff as the 49ers get ready to make the transition from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference.

SOURCE: Auburn QB coach Mike Hartline is expected to become the new passing game coordinator and WR coach at Charlotte. The 34-year-old former Kentucky QB played in the NFL for the Patriots and Colts, and had previously coached at Ohio State and Cincinnati.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 30, 2022

Mike Hartline started his coaching career at Ohio State as he joined Urban Meyer’s staff as an intern in 2015. In 2017, he would reunite with Phillips in Cincinnati serving as a quality control assistant for two years under head coach Luke Fickell. Hartline would then spend three seasons at Division II Ohio Dominican running his own offense. In 2022, Hartline would make the jump back to the FBS working as an analyst on Bryan Harsin’s final staff on the Plains. After Auburn made an in-season coaching move, Hartline was promoted to coach quarterbacks for the final month of the season.

Now the 34-year-old gets his first full-time opportunity under Poggi and offensive coordinator Mike Miller.

This could be important to note for Kentucky’s offensive coordinator search

After Rich Scangarello was relieved of his duties after just one season at Kentucky on Tuesday, we released our first coaching hot board. Ohio State wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Brian Hartline was listed as one of the top candidates. However, the relationship with his younger brother Mike was important.

Obviously, Mike has the obvious connection with Kentucky but also could’ve been someone that Brian brought with him whether that be in an on-field or off-field role. That is now off the table. But that’s not the only thing that could remove Brian Hartline from Mark Stoops’ pool of candidates.

Football Scoop is reporting that Brian Hartline is gaining momentum in Cincinnati’s search for a head coach with an interview to take place soon. That could eliminate any potential coordinator moves for one of the best recruiters in college football.

As Kentucky’s offensive coordinator search develops, Mark Stoops will likely need to focus on other candidates. Currently, momentum is building for Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen to return to Lexington.