The hypothetical nightmare for Ohio State has become a tangible reality. Brian Hartline is officially the head coach of South Florida, introduced to “Bulls Nation” on Monday amidst the fallout of a stunning 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game.
The situation has placed head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes in a precarious position as they prepare for the College Football Playoff. While Hartline spends the week in Tampa establishing his culture and wooing donors, questions loom back in Columbus about whether his split focus contributed to the offense’s sputtering performance in Indianapolis.
“The timing isn’t great, but that’s not Brian’s fault,” Ryan Day said, addressing the awkward overlap caused by the early signing period and the expanded playoff calendar. “That’s other people’s fault.”
Despite the loss and the logistical hurdles, Day confirmed that Hartline will retain his playcalling duties as long as the Buckeyes remain in the playoff hunt.
Here is a look at the pros and cons of this arrangement now that the ink is dry on Hartline’s USF contract.
The Case for Hartline Staying Through the Playoffs
Loyalty and “The Right Way”:
Despite the external noise, Day insists Hartline is committed to finishing what he started. “He’s made it clear that he wants to finish this the right way and be locked in here,” Day said. For Hartline, leaving his alma mater before a potential title run would tarnish his legacy. A championship ring remains the ultimate parting gift.
Stabilizing the Locker Room:
The Buckeyes are reeling from the loss to Indiana, where they managed only 276 yards of total offense. Removing the offensive coordinator now could turn a slump into a collapse. Hartline’s presence offers familiarity for a receiving corps that includes stars like Jeremiah Smith, who need stability to regain their rhythm before the quarterfinals.
Recruiting Triage:
While Hartline is focused on USF, his physical presence at Ohio State practices allows him to maintain face-to-face contact with current players, potentially preventing an exodus of roster talent to the transfer portal. His departure is already being felt—four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt flipped to USC shortly after the news broke—but staying allows him to perhaps mitigate further damage to the Buckeyes’ roster retention.
The Risks of Double Duty
The “Indiana Evidence”:
The primary argument against this arrangement is no longer theoretical; it’s on the scoreboard. Critics point to the Big Ten Championship loss as proof that you cannot serve two masters. The Buckeyes’ offense looked disjointed and unprepared against the Hoosiers. With Hartline accepting the USF job just days before that game, fair or not, the lack of offensive execution is being correlated with his divided attention.
Physical and Mental Burnout:
Hartline is currently in Tampa for introductory press conferences, meetings with USF boosters, and staff evaluations. He plans to fly back to Columbus to game-plan for the playoffs later this week. This travel schedule is grueling. Expecting a coach to build a new program from scratch while simultaneously fixing a broken offense for a national quarterfinal may be asking for the impossible.
Conclusion:
Brian Hartline is attempting a high-wire act that few have successfully navigated in the modern era. “I am confident I can handle it,” Hartline told reporters in Tampa. “We’re going to be motivated through love, not fear.”
However, if the Buckeyes’ offense struggles again in the playoffs, the decision to keep a distracted coordinator will be viewed as the fatal flaw in Ohio State’s 2025 season.
