Ryan Day paid Brian Hartline for his unwavering loyalty towards Ohio State with an offensive coordinator position in 2025. The Buckeyes are coming off an incredible national championship victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, putting an end to a 10-year-long drought.
This victory was more than an individual achievement for Day since the Buckeyes had been waiting for this moment for too long, and each of the coaching staff members has been working tirelessly behind the scenes. One such individual is Hartline, who has been a strong force behind Ohio State’s offensive strategy.
Throwback Clip of Brian Hartline Resurfaced After Ryan Day Makes Him OC
After Chip Kelly’s departure to the Raiders for an NFL job, Day rehired Hartline for the offensive coordinator spot, a role that he was well acquainted with. Hartline started his coaching journey with Ohio State eight years ago as an offensive quality control analyst.
Hartline rose to new heights and eventually made it to the OC position in 2023 until Chip Kelly was brought into the program in hopes of winning a national championship.
“You say go up the ladder, go where? I’m at the pinnacle of the ladder”
I was thinking about this from 2 years ago – Hartline always said he didnt care about his role, He just cared about his room.
Now he gets to call plays and truly lead the offense.pic.twitter.com/ObUBvi7TGx
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) February 14, 2025
In a way, Hartline got demoted to the co-offensive coordinator spot. If it were somebody else, this could have paved the way for him to leave the program in search of other opportunities, but Hartline’s dedication to the program was more than just entitlements.
An old video of him expressing love for the team resurfaced just two days into his re-appointment. “I love it here, and it’s a passion here, and all I care about is this room, and that’s my main focus and my forever focus,” Hartline said back then.
He continued, “And outside of that, I think I would be, I’d be lying if I think I’m thinking outside of that, you know, but I’m also not a person to sit here and tell you like, no, I’m never leaving Ohio State. Like, I’m not saying I ever will. I probably, you know, because, and you said, go up the ladder. Like, go where? like, this is the pinnacle of the ladder.
“So, and the ego at this point, unless, you know, it’s pretty minimal. I think, at times, maybe other people don’t think so. But, like, I don’t need the satisfaction of, you know, calling plays or whatever like I don’t know what that ladder is, but to me, I’m at the pinnacle of the ladder.”
KEEP READING: Fans React to Ohio State’s New Hire at Defensive Coordinator
It will be a new beginning for him at Ohio State, as the Buckeyes have already loaded their offense with breakout talents, and Jeremiah Smith is a star attraction. After Will Howard’s departure, Julian Sayin will take the reins in hopes of defending the national championship title.
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