Just a week after losing their defensive coordinator from the national championship-winning team, Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day have now also parted ways with their offensive coordinator.

Chip Kelly, who spent one year leading the Buckeyes' offense, is reportedly leaving Columbus to take on the role of offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders under newly appointed head coach Pete Carroll.

During his tenure at Ohio State, Kelly’s offense thrived, with the team averaging 35.7 points per game, which ranked 12th in the FBS and second in the Big Ten for scoring offense. The Buckeyes became even more dynamic in the postseason, averaging 36.3 points per game across four College Football Playoff victories.

With Kelly's departure, the question now arises: who will Day and Ohio State consider as their next offensive coordinator? Here’s a look at some potential candidates for the position:

Brian Hartline, Ohio State WRs Coach and Co-OC

Hartline has emerged as one of the leading position coaches in the nation. He has successfully recruited and developed Ohio State’s receivers, with Jeremiah Smith’s rapid rise to stardom highlighting his accomplishments.

It might be time for him to assume a larger role.

Hartline joined the Buckeyes in 2017 as an offensive quality control assistant under Urban Meyer. He was promoted to receivers coach in 2018 and has continued in that position even after Ryan Day took over as head coach in 2019.

In 2023, Hartline added the title of offensive coordinator to his responsibilities, although Day still retained play-calling duties.

After spending six seasons with Day, including one with Brian Kelly, Hartline should be well-prepared for greater responsibilities if the opportunity arises.

Kevin Wilson, Former Tulsa Coach

Wilson has previously been the offensive coordinator under Day in Columbus from 2017 to 2022, although Day retained the responsibility of calling plays.

This could be the perfect opportunity to rehire Wilson.

He left Ohio State just before the 2023 season to become the head coach at Tulsa. After finishing with a 7-16 record, he was let go with one game left in the 2024 season.

Throughout the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff journey, Wilson expressed his support, largely because his son, Toby Wilson, was a walk-on offensive lineman for the team.

Jason Candle, Toledo Head Coach

Jason Candle has served as Toledo's head coach since 2016, consistently guiding one of the highest-scoring offenses in the Mid-American Conference.

A former wide receiver, Candle played at Geneva College and the University of Mount Union. His coaching journey began as a receivers coach at Mount Union from 2003 to 2006, before he was promoted to offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008.

He joined Toledo in 2009, where he took on various coaching roles, including serving as offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2015, before being promoted to head coach following Matt Campbell's departure for Iowa State.

Jeff Nixon, Syracuse OC/RBs coach

During his inaugural season as Syracuse's offensive coordinator, Nixon directed an offense that scored an average of 34.1 points per game, enabling former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord to set multiple program records. 

Before this, he contributed to the revival of the Baylor program as the co-offensive coordinator under Matt Rhule. He and Day both worked as offensive assistants with the 49ers in 2016 under Kelly. Recently, Nixon interviewed for the open offensive coordinator position with the Houston Texans.

Mike Shanahan, Indiana OC/WRs Coach

The team with the highest-scoring offense in the Big Ten last season was not Ohio State under Kelly, but rather Indiana led by Shanahan. The 35-year-old former Pitt tight end has spent the last nine seasons working with Curt Cignetti, serving as the offensive coordinator for the past four. 

Last season, the Hoosiers racked up an impressive average of 41.3 points per game, making it the second-best in the FBS.