Brian Hartline's Departure from Ohio State Brian Hartline, Ohio State's wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator, left the Buckeyes to become head coach at South Florida (USF) in late 2025, leaving big shoes to fill after developing stars like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith. No official replacement has been named for his combined OC/WR coach role as of early January 2026, with head coach Ryan Day still searching amid the playoff aftermath. Ohio State acted quickly on the WR position, hiring a new coach post-Cotton Bowl loss, while the OC spot remains open.

Latest Candidate News

Ohio State interviewed Michigan's WR coach Ronald Hankton as a surprising candidate to succeed Hartline, valuing his experience with elite receivers. Hankton's hire for the WR role was confirmed shortly after the Buckeyes' playoff exit, positioning him to work with talents like Jeremiah Smith and Chris Henry Jr.. Ryan Day called the timing tough but praised Hartline's decade-long impact.

Top Speculated Replacements

Speculation runs high across forums, YouTube analyses, and reports, with these names frequently mentioned:

  • Keenan Bailey (OSU TE coach/co-OC): Internal promotion favorite since 2019, ready to step up.
  • Chip Kelly (ex-OSU OC): Potential return after NFL stint, backed by strong OSU stats (35.7 PPG).
  • Tommy Rees (Browns OC): Rising star from Notre Dame/Alabama, a top external option.

Candidate| Role/Background| Why a Fit?| Source Buzz
---|---|---|---
Keenan Bailey 7| OSU TE coach| Internal continuity, recruiting ties| High (promotion likely)
Chip Kelly 35| Ex-OSU OC/NFL| Proven OSU success, play-calling expertise| Very High (fan favorite)
Tommy Rees 3| Browns OC| Modern offenses at elite programs| Medium-High
Ronald Hankton 19| Michigan WR coach| Elite WR development track record| Confirmed for WR role

Forum and Fan Reactions

Fans on Reddit and X expressed shock but optimism, with threads like "Hartline Staying" quickly shifting to replacement debates. Many highlight OSU's "WRU" pipeline remaining strong, crediting Hartline's 5 first-round NFL picks. YouTube lists rank Kelly #1, with calls like "CHIP" flooding comments.

"Hartline leaves big shoes, but OSU is positioned to thrive with Kelly or Bailey." – Press Coverage podcast

Trending Context

As of January 2026, post-playoff searches spike around "who will replace Brian Hartline," blending USF hire news and OSU's 12-2 season. Expect announcements soon as Day eyes 2026 with stars like Smith returning.

TL;DR: No confirmed OC replacement yet; Hankton takes WR duties, with Bailey/Kelly leading speculation. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.