Ohio State University has long been known as one of the most prestigious and demanding head coaching jobs in all of college football. With a legacy built on national championships, Heisman winners, and unmatched expectations, the man tasked with leading the Buckeyes carries both the hopes of a rabid fanbase and the pressure of a program where second place is rarely acceptable.
For several years, that job has belonged to Ryan Day, who inherited the mantle from Urban Meyer in 2019 and has since led the Buckeyes to multiple College Football Playoff appearances, Big Ten championships, and top-five recruiting classes. But the conversation has shifted in recent seasons. After a series of frustrating losses to rival Michigan and the absence of a national championship during his tenure, murmurs have begun to grow louder among fans and analysts alike. As Ohio State continues to compete at the highest level, questions about the program’s leadership—and the future—have emerged.
Enter the name of Brian Hartline.
To many within the Ohio State community, Hartline has long represented not just a key component of the program’s success, but the ideal heir to Ryan Day when the time inevitably comes for a new voice to lead the Buckeyes. A former standout wide receiver for OSU and a rising star in the coaching ranks, Hartline embodies the culture, passion, and identity that the Buckeye faithful crave. And yet, in what many consider a premature and unfortunate twist, that potential future took a sharp turn when Hartline departed the program in early 2025 to pursue new opportunities elsewhere.
Now, as Ryan Day’s tenure enters a critical chapter, a growing faction of fans, insiders, and even former players are voicing a unified belief: Brian Hartline should come back home.
Hartline’s departure was, in many ways, a reflection of his meteoric rise. After joining the coaching staff in 2017 as a quality control assistant, Hartline quickly moved up the ranks. His promotion to wide receivers coach in 2018 was one of the most impactful moves in recent Ohio State history. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes assembled what is widely considered the most talented receiving corps in college football history, producing a staggering run of first-round NFL talent that included Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr.
His reputation as an elite recruiter only added to his coaching résumé. Hartline didn’t just develop stars—he attracted them. He consistently brought in top-five receiver classes, earning the trust of elite high school athletes and their families nationwide. Recruits spoke not only about his football acumen, but also about his authenticity, his loyalty to the university, and his ability to connect as both a mentor and coach.
By 2023, Hartline was promoted to offensive coordinator, a role many saw as the final stepping stone before one day becoming Ohio State’s head coach. His offense was explosive, innovative, and balanced—showcasing his versatility and understanding of the game at a macro level.
And then, unexpectedly, he was gone.
In early 2025, Hartline accepted a position elsewhere—a move that caught many within Buckeye Nation by surprise. While details of the move remain closely guarded, insiders suggest Hartline left not for lack of love for Ohio State, but due to a desire to grow, stretch himself, and eventually return even more prepared.
“He’s always said he bleeds scarlet and gray,” one former teammate said. “But sometimes, to lead at the highest level, you need to step away and grow on your own terms. That’s what this is.”
Still, the timing was jarring. As Ohio State eyes another title run but remains dogged by the continued Michigan question and playoff shortcomings, Hartline’s absence is deeply felt. Ryan Day, though still respected as a brilliant offensive mind and consistent winner, has faced increasing scrutiny for failing to deliver when it matters most. Three consecutive losses to Michigan—from 2021 through 2023—shook the foundation of the fanbase’s trust. While Day has kept the Buckeyes near the top, “near” isn’t good enough at a place like Ohio State.
For many, the solution is clear.
“Brian Hartline is the future of Ohio State football,” said a former OSU assistant coach. “He gets the program. He understands the expectation. He recruits like a machine, and players respect him. He was born for this job.”
Supporters of Hartline’s return argue that he represents a fusion of old-school Buckeye toughness with modern-day innovation. As a former NFL receiver and collegiate star, he carries credibility in both the locker room and living room. As a coach, he’s shown an ability to adapt schemes, elevate talent, and remain deeply connected to the culture of Columbus.
The idea isn’t without precedent. Several powerhouse programs have turned to homegrown leaders to restore their identity—Michigan with Jim Harbaugh, Georgia with Kirby Smart, and even Florida State with Mike Norvell, who quickly immersed himself in the school’s culture despite being an outsider. For Ohio State, the appeal of Hartline lies in the fact that he’s both a Buckeye lifer and an emerging coaching star.
Fans have taken to social media and message boards with hashtags like #BringBackBrian and #HartlineForHC. Alumni have expressed support quietly. Even several current OSU players have mentioned how much Hartline meant to their development and careers.
But perhaps the most telling sign of Hartline’s potential return lies in the silence from Ohio State leadership. Athletic Director Gene Smith, who is soon to retire, has refrained from commenting directly on Hartline’s departure or possible return, leading many to believe the door remains open. Smith’s successor will inherit the Day dilemma—ride it out, or prepare for change?
Of course, Ryan Day’s fate is not sealed. He could very well lead Ohio State to a national title this year and quiet all critics. His teams have consistently been in the top five nationally. He has developed elite quarterbacks. His offense remains among the most feared in the country. But in the court of public opinion, the bar at Ohio State is not just about consistency. It’s about championships—and dominance over Michigan.
And in that realm, Hartline’s appeal only grows.
“He’s a player’s coach,” one current Big Ten assistant said of Hartline. “But he’s also a coach’s coach. You watch how he teaches technique, installs game plans, and connects with people—he’s ready. He just needs the shot.”
For now, Hartline continues his journey elsewhere, quietly building experience and perhaps sharpening the skills he’ll one day bring back to Columbus. His name is still mentioned almost daily around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. His photos still hang in the halls. His fingerprints remain on the players he helped mold.
But for many in Buckeye Nation, it’s not enough to remember Brian Hartline—they want him back. Not just as a receivers coach. Not just as an OC. As the man. The next great leader in a long line of Buckeye giants.
And while no decision is imminent, the conversation continues to gain steam.
Because in Columbus, where football is a religion and legends walk among mortals, the future may already be written.
It just needs Hartline to come home.
