Brian Hartline officially staying at Ohio State as passing-game coordinator
COLUMBUS — The best wide receivers coach in the country is staying home: Ohio State has locked up Brian Hartline.
The former Buckeyes standout and rising superstar in the coaching profession again had heavy interest in his services outside the program. But Ohio State has elevated Hartline’s title to passing-game coordinator as part of the effort to retain him, along with what multiple Lettermen Row sources confirmed was a raise as well.
Notre Dame was the most aggressive suitor for Hartline during a crazy coaching cycle thus far. But it will come up short with Hartline sticking with the Buckeyes and the most talented collection of targets in the country as the Rose Bowl champions reload for another championship run next season.
“Brian is a dedicated Ohio State Buckeye,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said in a school statement on Sunday. “He is the top wide receivers coach in college football and he has continued to develop as an offensive coach to the point where we want him to have more of an impact on our offensive game plan.
“His taking over as passing game coordinator will allow for this.”
Securing Hartline was among the top items on the to-do list for Ohio State this offseason, and it goes a long way toward ensuring that a high-flying scoring attack will suffer no drop-off either with the passing game or the recruiting efforts at wide receiver.
The Buckeyes have already made a couple moves elsewhere on the staff as well, bringing in new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State and firing offensive line coach Greg Studrawa. Multiple sources have confirmed to Lettermen Row that UCLA assistant Justin Frye is the leading candidate to join the staff, and barring any unforeseen snags late in the process, he should be in the fold for the Buckeyes this week.
Brian Hartline is already there, of course. And he’s not leaving anytime soon.
