The Ohio State football program learned that Brian Hartline is moving on to become the head coach at South Florida. It's a job that no one had connected him to, and a lot of people didn't even know he interviewed for that position. Yet, he will get his first chance to be a head coach.
Hartline was only an offensive coordinator with play-calling duties for one year before getting this opportunity. The issue was that Hartline decided to take this job on Early National Signing Day, which wreaked havoc on Ohio State's recruiting class at the wide receiver position.
Still, this was the right time for Hartline to leave the Ohio State Buckeyes. Hartline will coach with the team throughout their run in the College Football Playoff. Yet, this is the perfect moment for Ohio State to move on from him because of the run they are on.
The Ohio State football team moves on from Brian Hartline at the perfect time
Hartline is the best recruiter in the country, so it certainly will hurt not to have him. Yet, he made it known that he wanted to be a head coach. He helped the team win a national championship last year, and the team looks poised to repeat as champs this year, too.
Chip Kelly has also become available again. He was fired as the offensive coordinator of the Raiders, not even lasting a full season. If he decides that he wants to continue coaching, Kelly would certainly be welcomed back by Ryan Day. He has already proven he can call a championship-level offense.
Ohio State has gotten grace from the fanbase with the national championship victory last season and an undefeated run so far this season. Day has also proven that he can be trusted to make good hires, as he aced the hiring of Kelly last year and the Matt Patricia hire this season.
It'll be hard to see Hartline go, but Ohio State will move on. Hartline should have some success at USF, as long as he hires the right staff around him.