Ohio State’s replacement for Brian Hartline if he leaves could be a very familiar face who just became available
All eyes will be on what happens with Brian Hartline this coming offseason at Ohio State.
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes know all too well what it’s like to replace coordinators in an offseason. Just last year, the Buckeyes lost defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. There’s a possibility that Ohio State could see even more turnover this coming offseason.
Brian Hartline is now the Buckeyes’ play-caller after serving as offensive coordinator or co-offensive coordinator over the last couple of seasons. Given what Hartline has accomplished as a developer of wide receivers and recruiter, his name frequently surfaces as a candidate for head coaching opportunities in the near future.
Brian Hartline’s replacement may be a true revolving-door move
Kelly left the Buckeyes last offseason after receiving a deal from the Las Vegas Raiders that made him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL. His lone season in Columbus was a successful one, capped by a national championship. Unfortunately for Kelly, his jump back to the NFL lasted just 11 games, as he was fired by the Raiders on Sunday evening.
Kelly is an East Coast native and maintains a strong relationship with Day. He has already proven he can thrive as a play-caller at Ohio State, as last season showed. The Buckeyes brought in Will Howard from Kansas State, and he delivered a special year in Columbus. The run game with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins was outstanding, and the trio of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate formed one of the most dangerous receiving groups in the country.
Ohio State will always have talent, and Kelly has proven he can maximize it as a play-caller. The Buckeyes could lose Hartline this offseason, with rumors circulating that Penn State is interested. Hartline could also remain in Columbus, which would open the door for Kelly to return in an additional offensive role. Just because his NFL stint didn’t pan out doesn’t mean he can’t be elite in the college game.
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