How Brian Hartline is adjusting to his second term as the head coach of Ohio State football

The most visible sign of Brian Hartline’s return as the primary offensive coordinator for Ohio State is a headset.

Since the Buckeyes opened spring practice last week, he has worn the device while on the indoor field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, allowing him to call in plays to the quarterbacks.

Hartline, who remains the wide receivers coach in addition to a promotion to a role that includes play-calling responsibilities, has more on his plate during practices.

“It’s definitely a balancing act,” Hartline said. “I’m not saying I’m a pro at it yet.”

But coach Ryan Day has left four spring practices feeling encouraged, considering it a good start.

 “We’re just getting used to it and working out the kinks,” Day said. “He certainly knows the offense well, knows how to call plays. It’s just finding the rhythm of how you do that in practice.”

During team periods, Hartline is either calling in the next play or working with the receivers.

Day said the Buckeyes will also have other assistants call plays off their script in order to give Hartline, a hands-on assistant, more time to be involved with his position group.

But there are more facets to play-calling in 2025. The NCAA last year began allowing the use of coach-to-player helmet communication.

With the new technology in place, Chip Kelly, who was the Buckeyes’ primary offensive play-caller last season before leaving for the NFL, could speak with quarterback Will Howard until the play clock reached 15 seconds.

Kelly both relayed the play call and other information to Howard prior to the snap. They began familiarizing themselves with the communications in practices.

That’s something that Chip did every single day, whether it was a walkthrough or a practice,” Day said, “and I think that’s something we need to continue as much as we can without interfering with the teaching.”

The system was not in place when Hartline prepared to take over as the primary play-caller two years ago, a role Day ultimately did not delegate. During offseason practices, Hartline leaned on staff members to signal in a play call to the quarterback.

“I don’t think it’s a vast change,” Hartline said. “I just have to be very sensitive to what’s coming through the mic and what I’m saying and not making the quarterbacks hearing something they shouldn’t be hearing.”

He also stressed clarity, mentioning a desire to echo the message of quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler.

“To have him hear one thing from another guy and another thing from another coach, that’s not good football,” Hartline said.

As he takes on more responsibilities on staff, Hartline pointed to the presence of an established group of receivers as a benefit for him. Few of Ohio State’s position groups have as much continuity, a group led by returning starters Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.

“I’ve got some good veteran leadership,” Hartline said. “The top of the room is well-secured, and those guys are doing a really good job and they’re really deep.”

Devin Jordan, a program assistant who has been involved with the wide receivers since 2022, has also helped him with meetings and organization for the position.

With Hartline as the primary coordinator, Ohio State’s quarterbacks will also be included in meetings with the receivers, a structure Day considers important for the play-caller.

“Because he’s got to have a connection with the quarterback,” Day said. “They’ve got to be on the same page.”

Hartline said he feels more prepared than he did in his previous stint in 2023.

Maybe I’ve grown a little bit,” he said, “but it is different. I couldn’t always tell you why. The staff around me is awesome.”