Ohio State fans are losing their minds with Brian Hartline leaving Columbus

This was bound to happen, but that does not mean it did not come as a great, big surprise. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, "Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is expected to become the next coach at South Florida." Hartline would replace Alex Golesh, who just took over the Auburn Tigers. Hartline has developed a reputation as the very best developer of wide receivers in college.

Hartline played for Jim Tressel in Columbus from 2005 to 2008 before embarking on a seven-year NFL career. He played primarily with the Miami Dolphins before finishing his playing career with the Cleveland Browns. Since hangin up the spikes, Hartline had been in and around the Ohio State coaching staff for the better part of a decade. It is interesting that he is finally deciding to move on.

South Florida is one of the better Group of Five jobs, but it is odd to see him leave at this point in time.

Here is how Ohio State fans and the national media after feeling about this surprising hire over on X.

Brian Hartline taking over South Florida fielding mostly positive reviews

The expectation is Hartline will serve as the offensive coordinator for Ohio State through the playoff.

This elite developer of talent is ready for his next challenge, so this is a bittersweet moment for sure.

The big concern for Hartline is if he is ready to take over a program that is not the easiest to win at.

With Hartline going to Tampa, this probably opens the door for Chip Kelly to come back to Columbus.

What Brian Hartline leaving for South Florida means for Ohio State

For other programs, this would be a distraction. Not for Ohio State... They have navigated situations like this before, most notably Tom Herman taking over at Houston after the first College Football Playoff, in which the Buckeyes won. This is a team that lost both of its star coordinators to other jobs this offseason. With Kelly being fired and James Franklin out at Penn State, what about Jim Knowles?

If Hartline's departure to South Florida means anything, it suggests that the Bulls will be able to recruit and develop wide receivers in-state. Ohio State will still remain great in that department, but a slight downtick is expected. What is curious is the nature of the USF job. For as good as Golesh was in Tampa, we have seen the job devour other good coaches alive, like Jeff Scott and Charlie Strong.

For now, Ohio State has a Big Ten championship to focus on. The Buckeyes will be going up against another undefeated team in the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers. Whoever wins this game will be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and will get a first-round bye. Frankly, the loser could still get a first-round bye too, but it will probably be the No. 3 or even No. 4 seed in most realistic estimations.

Seeing one of your own walk away from alma mater is always tough, but there are only so many jobs.