After losing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day has named a familiar face as his replacement. Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes’ current wide receivers coach, is stepping up to take on the role of offensive coordinator.
Hartline, a former standout player for Ohio State, is known for his success in developing the team’s wide receivers. Under his coaching, players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Emeka Egbuka have gone on to excel at the highest levels, with Harrison becoming a Heisman finalist and an eventual first-round NFL draft pick. Additionally, freshman standout Jeremiah Smith has shown remarkable potential under Hartline’s guidance.
Before transitioning to coaching, Hartline was a key player for Ohio State, playing from 2006 to 2008. He caught 90 passes for 1,429 yards and scored 12 touchdowns during his college career. After being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2009, Hartline played in the NFL until 2015, spending time with both the Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns. His successful playing career included two 1,000-yard seasons.
Hartline began his coaching career at Ohio State in 2017, initially serving as an offensive quality control assistant. Now, in less than a decade on the Buckeyes staff, he has risen to the position of offensive coordinator. With Hartline in charge, Ohio State will aim to secure its first back-to-back national championships in program history.
