The Ohio State Buckeyes made the bold decision to go with a younger, more energized coaching staff after winning their first national title in a decade. 

Ryan Day watched Chip Kelly and Jim Knowles bolt the program after proving themselves along the historic run through the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. He's banking on the program's ability to create a pipeline of young stars, and his decision to promote Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator was a big one. 

The former receivers coach as been a superstar recruiter and developer, but calling plays and designing schemes is another challenge. But will it matter?

Day was quick to respond that this offense is still his unit at its foundation: "It will be very similar. We've tried to keep offense same over these 9 years. Chip brought in his own ideas, but we tried to keep the offense, the offense."

Ohio State's Ryan Day said offense won't change w/Brian Hartline taking over OC after Chip Kelly left: "It will be very similar. We've tried to keep offense same over these 9 years. Chip brought in his own ideas, but we tried to keep the offense, the offense"

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 22, 2025

Andy Staples of On3 ranked the most impactful coordinator hires of the college football season, and Hartline made the list as the No. 3 move. It trailed only Ryan Grubb's predictable decision to join Kalen DeBoer in Alabama and Knowles' departure to Penn State. 

Here's what Staples said of the promotion:

Last year’s decision by Ryan Day to give up playcalling was made easier by the fact that Chip Kelly — Day’s college coach and professional mentor — was willing to leave the UCLA head coach job to call plays in Columbus. (After original hire Bill O’Brien got the head coach job at Boston College.) That probably was the perfect transition, because Day trusted Kelly more than anyone else who could have held that role.This will be different. Day has to give Hartline a chance to grow into the role, but Day also is the most experienced offensive playcaller in the building. So if he needs to jump in, he can. Plus, the hiring of Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen as offensive line coach/run game coordinator feels like insurance. All of these coaches know more about playcalling than me, but a humble suggestion of “When in doubt, throw it toward Jeremiah Smith” seems appropriate.

Kelly's offense used more outside zone runs compared to past seasons, and he loves a stretch design. The Buckeyes' run game was problematic before Kelly arrived, so it'll be critical for Hartline to continue the positive growth that Ohio State created in the trenches.

Talent was part of that, and the Buckeyes' offensive line lost three starters this offseason. With two new tackles and a center taking those openings, plus a completely revamped running back room, there's a ton of moving parts. 

It'll be a challenge for Hartline to step in and create a dominant offense, but Day's offensive foundation and guiding hand is a tremendous advantage. If nothing else, the Buckeyes know their talent can carry them when everything bogs down. 

The key will be for Hartline to vary looks and maximize an embarrasment of weaponry. It sounds easier than it will be, but Day's core base of the unit is a good enough to be confident in.