In the midst of National Signing Day, it looks like there is some big coaching news! According to multiple reports, Ohio State co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline is expected to take the head coach position with the USF Bulls. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that the deal is for six years and that Hartline will finish out the College Football Playoff with the Buckeyes. On3’s Brett McMurphy added that a source said “Hartline was USF’s No. 1 choice even before Alex Golesh left for Auburn.”
USF Bulls Hire Brian Hartline
USF has since made the Hartline hire official, along with a full press release. Rob Higgins added a full statement about the hire of Hartline for the Bulls.
“Brian Hartline was our clear-cut first choice to lead our football program into the most exciting era in program history, and I am so fired up to have him leading the Bulls. A relentless recruiter, outstanding developer of talent, and a gritty competitor, he comes from a championship background and is obsessed with instilling championship excellence in his players and teams. He is ready to lead our program to the next level. He knows the state of Florida, having spent six seasons of his professional playing career in Miami, and has successfully recruited the state and the Bay Area for a long time. We are so excited to welcome Brian, his wife Kara, and their children Brayden, Kameron, and Brooklyn to the Bulls family.”
Hartline, a longtime NFL wideout who posted 344 career receptions for 4766 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career, has been vital to Ohio State’s success since joining the staff in 2017. He was honored by the American Football Coaches Association as one of its AFCA 35 Under 35 honorees in 2019, was named the 2021 Wide Receivers Coach of the Year by FootballScoop, and was named the 2022 On3 National Wide Receivers Coach of the Year.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, in Hartline’s profile on the team’s website, had glowing remarks for the new USF head coach.
“Brian has been successful in every football capacity for which he has been engaged. He has progressed incredibly well from college to NFL receiver, and then from quality control coach to wide receivers coach and now to his roles as a coordinator. He has also developed his receivers at an unprecedented level, and he has recruited as well or better than anyone in the country.”
One of the most popular names across the country, Hartline is a slam dunk hire for the Bulls. He is one of the best recruiters in the country, has developed stars like Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., and has helped elevate the Ohio State program to become one of the best in the country. With a very high level of resources and commitment from the entire administration, Hartline is well-positioned for immediate success in Tampa.
Alex Golesh was a big loss for the Bulls, but there is an argument to be made that Hartline is a hire that could work even better for USF. With the transfer portal and late signing day window coming up, the new USF head coach is in a great position to not only make his impact on the roster, but also across the college football landscape as a whole.
For all of the latest college football news, keep it locked in with the League Winners!
Discover more from The League Winners
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Brandyn Pokrass
Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2023 with a Communications Degree, a concentration in Multimedia Journalism, and a minor in Broadcasting. Received an M.A. in Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2024. Wrote for Jets Insider for two years, was previously a beat writer for Jets X-Factor, previously hosted a Knicks podcast for Let's Talk Knicks, and contributed to Inside the Iggles. Currently writes for Metsmerized Online, contributes to Badlands, and contributes video content to Couch Potato Sports Coverage. Avid movie watcher, gym goer, music listener, and overall sports fan.