Brian Hartline is once again Ohio State football's OC, but this time it feels different
For the second time in three years, Brian Hartline is Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.
This time, he really will be and not just have the title. In 2023, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day named Hartline the coordinator . Hartline was a hot commodity as OSU’s wide receivers coach, and Day believed he was worthy of a promotion and raise.
But while Hartline had the coordinator title two years ago, Day called the plays. Last year, when Day wanted to step back from that role, he hired the highly experienced Bill O’Brien. When O’Brien left weeks later to become head coach at Boston College, Day turned to his mentor, Chip Kelly.
Kelly left after Ohio State’s national championship run to become coordinator with the Las Vegas Raiders , and Day has turned back to Hartline. This time, Hartline will call the plays, Day said.
“It definitely feels a little different, for sure,” Hartline said as OSU approaches the start of spring practice March 17. “I’m just ready to get started to work with these guys and keep building. That’s where my focus is. It feels good. It feels normal. Ready to roll.”
More: Why Ohio State football defensive line coach Larry Johnson didn't ponder retirement
Hartline, 38, took seriously the opportunity to learn under Day and Kelly. He prides himself on his willingness to acknowledge what he might not know and fill those gaps. Nobody is an expert on everything, he said.
“You have an opportunity to be with the best staff in America every single day with the best head coach in America,” Hartline said. “Just stay off your phone and pay attention and take notes and actually maximize your time. It’s amazing the amount of people that don’t do that. Every time I’m in a meeting, I try to make sure I’m getting a nugget or getting information.”
He said he’s not afraid to ask a question even if he thinks it might make him look dumb.
More: How good is Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia without Bill Belichick?
“I don’t care because I want to know the information,” Hartline said. “That approach allows you to build over time, and that’ll continue to build from now to Game 1 and then build through the season.”
Hartline will be part of a group effort. Day will remain involved, though he intends to maintain the CEO role he shifted to last year. Offensive line coach Tyler Bowen was hired from Virginia Tech, where he served as offensive coordinator, in part because he could help Hartline with the run game.
But Hartline will be in charge.
“I believe very strongly that Brian is going to do a great job as offensive coordinator,” Day said. “He’s really grown in a lot of areas.”
Day praised Hartline’s work ethic and his willingness to put in the long hours required to excel. Certainly, his recruitment and development of his position group is at an elite level. Jeremiah Smith is the latest in a long pipeline of star receivers since Hartline became the position coach in 2018 after his seven-year NFL career. Hartline remains the wide receivers coach and said his coordinator role will not reduce his time with that unit.
“The players relate to him,” Day said. “He has credibility. He’s got confidence. He’s handled situations well.”
Day said Hartline has been involved in headset conversations during games about play-calling. Now it’s his show. Day said it will be fun to watch Hartline manage other coaches and have the clicker when they watch video.
“You’ve got to make the adjustments,” Day said. “You’ve got to challenge those coaches. You’ve got to make the tough decisions on personnel and where we’re going schematically. I’m still going to be there, but I’ve really tried to let him go and run with this thing.
“When you look at Brian, when he puts his mind to something, he’s gotten it done, and I believe he’s going to get this one done, too.”
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.
This story was updated to add a gallery.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Brian Hartline returns to OSU OC role, but this time he'll call plays
