Candidates do exist to replace departing Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in Columbus, Ohio in 2025. Ultimately Head Coach Ryan Day must do what he thinks is right to replace his longtime friend and mentor. It is reasonable to wonder if Day will revert back to calling plays. He gave that duty up last season. Calling plays may be important to any potential hire.
Ohio State should be able to attract many candidates though it is most likely Ohio State will promote from within to fill the post vacated by Kelly. Ohio State has plenty of returning talent, led by the best returning offensive player in the nation in rising sophomore machine Jeremiah Smith. Do you think Ohio State will hire from within or go outside to get an offensive coordinator?
The First Of the Candidates: Brian Hartline
The list of candidates starts with ace recruiter and current Wide Receiver Coach Brian Hartline. Day needs to do whatever is necessary to keep him in the fold. Hartline held the title of offensive coordinator for the 2023 season and was given the title of co-offensive coordinator last season. Hartline is a rising star in the coaching ranks. A promotion back into the role of offensive coordinator for 2025 could keep him in Columbus long-term.
Kevin Wilson: Former Ohio State Offensive Coordinator
The second of the candidates to fill the offensive coordinator role vacated by Kelly is Kevin Wilson. Wilson was most recently the head coach at Tulsa. He also has coaching experience at Indiana. Wilson is the former Ohio State offensive coordinator from 2017-2023.
During that time Ohio State was ranked high in both scoring and total offense. When Wilson worked at Ohio State Day called the plays. Wilson could be the most attractive of the candidates if Day wants to resume calling plays. Wilson is on the market, so this seems like a good fit for both sides.
Jason Candle: Toledo Head Coach
Jason Candle was one of the primary names connected to Ohio State’s offensive coordinator search last season, so it would not be surprising to see him considered for the offensive coordinator job. If he is interested, it would be a step down for the head coach. Candle native of Salem, Ohio. He has spent his entire coaching career in the great state of Ohio, so he is amongst the most viable of the candidates.
Joe Moorhead: Akron Head Coach
The fourth of the candidates to replace Kelly is Joe Moorhead. Moorhead was regarded as one of the best offensive coordinators in the country during his tenures leading the offenses at two of Ohio State’s top Big Ten competitors: Penn State in 2016-17 and Oregon in 2020-21. He would also bring Power 5 head coaching experience from his time as Mississippi State’s head coach in 2018 and 2019. That would be a major difference between him and Candle.
Candidates Also In the Mix
Candidates also in the mix include Jeff Nixon the Syracuse offensive coordinator and Will Stein, Oregon offensive coordinator. LeCharles Bently is an outside candidate for the open OC position.
Conclusion
The offensive coordinator position at Ohio State is one of the most sought after jobs in the United States. That means Ohio State will not have difficulty attracting qualified candidates. Ohio State will also pay top dollar. The biggest question for Ohio State is whether to make an external hire or to promote from with. Whether Day wants to call offensive plays again will be crucial to the decision.