Development around another Big Ten head coach may have just increased the chances that Ohio State will lose Brian Hartline
It would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the Buckeyes.
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Penn State Nittany Lions this weekend in what will be a matchup against a familiar face — defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Knowles took a lateral position at Penn State and was one of the coordinators Ohio State lost from last year’s national championship team.
Replacing coordinators is nothing new for Day, and it looks like his decision to bring on Matt Patricia couldn’t have gone better. On the offensive side of the ball, Brian Hartline was ready to take over play-calling duties following the exit of Chip Kelly. With rumors swirling around the Penn State head coaching job, it’s possible the Buckeyes could again be replacing a coordinator after this season.
Matt Rhule’s extension at Nebraska is bad news for the Buckeyes
Often, schools will step up with bigger contracts for their head coaches when rumors begin to swirl that they might take another job. That’s the case for Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, as it was reported Thursday that he and the Cornhuskers agreed to a new deal that will pay him $12.5 million annually through 2030. Rhule’s name had been a hot one for the Penn State job, but that speculation can now be put to rest.
As a result, the Nittany Lions’ coaching search will go in another direction — and Hartline is one name generating plenty of attention. For nearly a decade, Hartline has been developing wideouts and sending them to the NFL from Columbus. The first-year play caller has worked his way up to offensive coordinator, and it’s only a matter of time before he lands his first head-coaching opportunity. Hartline previously interviewed with West Virginia last offseason, though nothing materialized.
Penn State isn’t going to land Rhule or Indiana’s Curt Cignetti. Hartline would be a risky hire as a first-year head coach, and building an elite staff around him would be vital. But bringing in the 38-year-old could provide the energy boost the program needs. There’s no doubt Hartline would elevate Penn State’s wide receiver talent, and there’s reason to believe he could find success. Penn State is currently one of the top open jobs in college football, along with LSU and Florida. With so many openings across the country, the Penn State vacancy may not be the only one where Hartline’s name surfaces. The season couldn’t be going much better for the 7-0 Buckeyes, but it’s starting to look like they’ll have their work cut out for them once the offseason arrives.
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Ohio State Buckeyes receive promising injury news with a starter set to return against Penn State
The Buckeyes are as healthy as they could be coming out of the bye week.
