Ohio State coordinator, ace recruiter expected to become USF head coach, per report
By David Wasson
Published:
The unprecedented 2025 college football coaching carousel filled another seat Wednesday morning, as Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has reportedly been tapped to replace Alex Golesh at USF.
The report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel comes as the top-ranked Buckeyes are preparing to face their sternest test of the season – No. 2 Indiana – in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship Game (8 pm ET, FOX).
Hartline starred at wide receiver for Ohio State from 2006-09, including playing an integral role in the Buckeyes making the 2008 BCS National Championship Game. Hartline elected to forgo his senior season and enter the 2009 NFL Draft, where he was taken in the 4th round with the 108th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins.
Hartline played 7 seasons in the NFL, 6 with the Dolphins and the final season with the Browns, collecting 344 receptions for 4,766 yards and 14 touchdowns. After retiring, Hartline joined the Ohio State staff in 2017 – first as a quality control graduate assistant and then wide receivers coach. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023 and has been one of the Buckeyes’ best recruiters during his time working in Columbus.
Golesh was hired away from USF by Auburn on Sunday as part of a massive SEC coaching overhaul. Golesh coached the Bulls from 2023-25, going 23-15 including a 9-3 mark in 2025.
It is unclear whether Hartline will continue to coach the Buckeyes offense through the Big Ten title game and into the College Football Playoff.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
