Sometimes, it makes sense for a good thing to end. Other times, it makes sense for a good thing to resume again. That's how the Ohio State-Brian Hartline relationship has evolved since he took the USF head coaching job last year.
The Buckeyes have seen how far Jeremiah Smith can carry the offense, but the returns are not as great without Julian Sayin. Ohio State's other receivers, whether recruited by Hartline or not, have not been able to come close to matching Smith's production. It makes one worry about the program's future at the position in the post-Hartline era.
It's not as though Hartline is thriving with the Bulls, though. Hartline's USF squad is now 6-4 after losing 52-41 to Memphis at home on Thursday night.
"We just did enough to not lose by a lot," Hartline said after erasing a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter just to lose anyway. "The mentality is the part that has been most disappointing."
This was the Bulls' fourth loss in the last six games. Despite putting up the most points in a game against an FBS opponent all season, USF's defense completely fell apart. That's not Hartline's forte, but it's still his responsibility as head coach.
Is being the CEO too much for Hartline? Truthfully, it's premature to judge that just yet. It's tough for an American Conference squad to lose a head coach, an offensive system, and the top yards-getters and touchdown-scorers and remain near the top.
Then again, Hartline said over the summer that there was more success due to the Bulls than what we've seen over the past few seasons. There hasn't been a notable improvement yet, and you wonder if there ever will be.
Should Ohio State and Brian Hartline reunite?
Hartline is proving to be good, if not good enough, as a head coach. Most Buckeye fans would describe his play-calling in the same way.
Perhaps handing Hartline too many responsibilities is the problem. Maybe he's at his best specializing in receivers. Certainly, the long list of future early-round NFL draft picks who started in Columbus when Hartline was OSU's receivers coach speaks to how good he is in that niche. Hartline was recruiting them and developing them. It was a system that worked with remarkable efficiency.
Ryan Day is realizing these days that the grass isn't greener. Cortez Hankton has yet to make a major splash and may be better suited for an SEC job.
Is Hartline coming back truly the answer, though? The truth is, the sky is the limit if he would accept a co-offensive coordinator role with more of a focus on recruiting. If Day can convince Hartline and Chip Kelly to come back, then there'd be serious hope that championship glory days can return to Central Ohio.
No one has won the Buckeye-Hartline breakup. Being that Hartline has Scarlet and Gray in his blood, though, Hartline likely never saw leaving as the final goodbye.
Someday long down the road, perhaps Hartline and Ohio State will be in a better place, together again.
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