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Buckeyes reportedly promote Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•about 10 hours•

SpencerHolbrook

Brian Hartline by Mick Walker -- Lettermen Row --
Brian Hartline (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — For the second time in the last three years, Ohio State is reportedly calling on Brian Hartline to be its next offensive coordinator. This time, the move could be coming with more responsibilities.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day promoted Hartline into an offensive coordinator role two years ago with the idea of Hartline calling plays in mind. But Day kept the play sheet for that season. He then brought veteran head coach and play-caller Chip Kelly in to take over the play sheet in 2024 — and it resulted in a national championship win.

Hartline has been the Ohio State wide receivers coach in a full-time capacity since 2019. He’s now the youngest offensive coordinator Day has had since he took over as the head coach.

Kelly left his post at Ohio State for the offensive coordinator job with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday evening, leaving a second hole to fill on Day’s offensive coaching staff. Offensive line coach Justin Frye accepted the offensive line coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday morning.

Now Ohio State is locking Hartline in with an expanded role and a long-term deal.

No program has recruited wide receivers as well as Ohio State has since 2018, which is the year Brian Hartline took over as the position coach of that unit. That’s not going to change with a title shift for Hartline, who has been with the Buckeyes for the last eight years. Hartline’s ability to connect with recruits and turn them into stud wide receivers isn’t going to vanish just because he has more responsibility.

He’s not going to take his eyes off the position group he has built — and turned into the best in the country. And he’s not going to stop reeling in the best receivers in America to stockpile in his wide receivers room just because of a new responsibility, either. In fact, his prowess on the recruiting trail will only continue to grow as he helps recruit all offensive positions, not just the one he played at Ohio State and in the NFL.

Ohio State still has an opening at defensive coordinator; DC Jim Knowles left the program for a record-setting contract at Penn State last week.

But the offensive coordinator opening is now filled. Ohio State has tabbed Brian Hartline for the second time in the last three years. This time, however, feels different. He might be calling plays.

Ohio State coaching staff

Head coach — Ryan Day
Offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach — Brian Hartline
Quarterbacks coach — Billy Fessler
Running backs coach — Carlos Locklyn
Tight ends coach — Keenan Bailey
Offensive line coach — Tyler Bowen

Defensive coordinator — OPEN
Defensive line coach — Larry Johnson
Linebackers coach — James Laurinaitis
Cornerbacks coach — Tim Walton
Safeties coach — Matt Guerrieri

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