Ohio State’s first-year offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is reportedly being hired by South Florida to be its next head coach, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.
With many different head coaching positions coming open this season, Hartline’s name has come up in speculation for many different positions, but he will be heading to South Florida.
Hartline has been with Ohio State since 2017 and has turned into one of the best position coaches in the country, developing a bevy of NFL wide receivers.
With the early signing period happening the same day that this news comes our, it’s unclear whether this will affect five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. or or four-star Jerquaden Guilford, who haven’t signed with Ohio State yet.
Four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt flipped to USC minutes after the news came out that Hartline would be leaving Ohio State.
Former Buckeye Alex Golesh was the head coach at South Florida, but left to take the head coaching job at Auburn.
It’s unclear whether Hartline will coach the postseason with the Buckeyes, but he has been the play caller for the offense, and his early departure would lead to some changes. If he does leave early, head coach Ryan Day might be the one to take the reins on play calling.
Patrick Murphy of 247Sports’ Ohio State site, “Bucknuts,” reports that the plan is for Hartline to remain with the Buckeyes through the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff.
This story is breaking news and will be updated as new information is revealed.
