Brian Hartline Hired As Next Head Coach Of South Florida Bulls
Just days after the euphoria of pummeling Michigan and reclaiming bragging rights, reality decided to deliver a swift kick to the shins. Brian Hartline, the prodigal son of Columbus, is packing his bags.
Sources confirmed this week that Hartline is leaving Ohio State to take the head coaching gig at South Florida. He’s swapping the gray Midwestern winter for Tampa palm trees on a six-year deal, replacing Alex Golesh, who bolted for Auburn. And while nobody blames a guy for taking a promotion (and a likely pay raise), this one stings. It stings badly.
Why Losing Hartline Hurts So Much
Let’s call a spade a spade: Hartline wasn’t just an offensive coordinator. He was the architect of “Wide Receiver U.” He’s the guy who turned the wide receiver room into an NFL factory. We’re talking about the man who recruited and developed Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jeremiah Smith. He didn’t just recruit five-stars; he turned them into superstars.
Losing his recruiting prowess is like losing the secret sauce to your grandmother’s lasagna. You can try to replicate it with someone else, but it’s probably not going to taste the same. For nearly a decade, Hartline has been the glue of that offensive staff, first as a quality control coach, then receiver guru, and finally as the play-caller who helped Julian Sayin look like a Heisman contender this year.
The USF Gamble and the Florida Connection
For the USF Bulls, this is a home run swing. They are getting a guy who played for the Miami Dolphins for six years and knows the state of Florida inside and out. Hartline is young (39), hungry, and inherits a program that just went 9-3. He’s not walking into a rebuild; he’s walking into a race car that just needs a new driver.
The Bulls had a top-tier offense under Golesh, and Hartline, who orchestrated an Ohio State offense averaging 37 points per game this season, is the perfect candidate to keep the scoreboard operator busy.
What Comes Next For Ryan Day?
Now, Ryan Day has a headache. He has to replace his ace recruiter and his play-caller in one fell swoop. The rumor mill is already churning out names, and the most ironic one on the list is Chip Kelly.
Kelly, who was co-OC with Hartline in 2024, just got fired by the Las Vegas Raiders. Could we see a reunion? It makes sense on paper, but it doesn’t solve the recruiting void Hartline leaves behind.
The silver lining? Hartline is reportedly sticking around through the College Football Playoff. So, Ohio State fans get one last ride with their favorite son calling the shots. Enjoy it, folks. Replacing a guy who bleeds Scarlet and Gray this much is going to be a tall order.
