Ohio State football’s Brian Hartline leaving to fill head coaching vacancy: Reports

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s Brian Hartline is expected to be South Florida’s next head coach, according to multiple reports.

The deal is expected to be six years in length, and he will coach Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

Hartline, who has been on Ohio State’s staff since 2017, has been the offensive coordinator and play-caller this season. He’s best known for the work he’s done coaching OSU’s receivers.

Hartline’s time in Columbus started as a player under Jim Tressel (2005-08). After playing for the Dolphins (2009-14) and Browns (2015) in the NFL, he started his coaching career.

Hartline was hired as quality control assistant in 2017 under Urban Meyer. The following year, he was promoted to receivers coach — a role he’s held since then, even as OSU transitioned from Meyer to Ryan Day in 2019.

During his time coaching Ohio State’s receivers, he’s been arguably the best assistant in the country.

The Buckeyes have had a receiver taken in the first round of four straight NFL drafts. He’s helped produce the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Emeka Ebguka, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Day gave Hartline an offensive coordinator title in 2023, but the head coach still called plays. This year, that changed.

Hartline has called plays from the press box as Ohio State has navigated an undefeated season. Quarterback Julian Sayin is in the running for the Heisman trophy while Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith appear on pace to extend the streak of OSU receivers taken in the first round.

After news surfaced of Hartline’s departure, Smith posted a photo on X of himself with Hartline with the caption, “Love Coach.”