Eric Boggs
Even as Brian Hartline officially steps into his role as South Florida’s new head coach, the heartbeat of Ohio State’s program remains steady. Hartline was introduced in Tampa on Monday, calling the USF job a “world-class opportunity,” but he also made clear that his commitment to finishing what he started in Columbus hasn’t wavered. He’ll return this week to help lead the Buckeyes through their College Football Playoff run—one last chase for a championship as a Buckeye before beginning the next chapter of his career.
For Hartline, leaving Ohio State was not a decision taken lightly. Born and raised in Ohio, married to a Columbus native, and deeply tied to the program he played for and later helped elevate, the choice required the perfect fit. South Florida—where he spent most of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins and a place he still considers a second home—became that match. He spoke passionately about the importance of Florida to his family and about the excitement of recruiting in a region he’s long thrived in as a position coach.
“It had to be the right spot for us to leave,” Hartline said. “And this was the choice worth making.” Even so, gratitude poured out of him as he thanked Ohio State’s leaders—Ryan Day, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, Gene Smith and Ross Bjork—for shaping his path. His coaching blueprint at USF echoes much of what he learned in Columbus: build with love, create a family atmosphere, and pursue championships relentlessly.
Ryan Day, meanwhile, has been clear: Hartline will continue calling plays in the postseason. Day will be more hands-on with offensive preparation, but he has full confidence Hartline can balance his new responsibilities. After a chaotic week that included preparing for the Big Ten Championship and navigating his transition to USF, Hartline agreed the hardest part is now behind him. With time to breathe and organize, he expects to manage both roles effectively leading into the Cotton Bowl.
While Hartline departs with the respect and blessing of the program, his exit has also highlighted the growing strength of Ohio State’s coaching infrastructure—especially on defense. Matt Patricia, hired by Day last February, is now a Broyles Award finalist after orchestrating one of the best defensive seasons in modern Ohio State history. His arrival came with skepticism due to the end of his NFL tenure, but Day trusted the Super Bowl–winning former head coach’s football intellect, personality, and values.
That belief has paid off in spectacular fashion. Patricia’s defense leads the nation in scoring defense, total defense, and passing defense, all while ranking top-10 in nearly every major category. The Buckeyes haven’t allowed more than 17 points all season, consistently smothering opponents with elite physicality, communication and discipline. Patricia’s ability to maximize stars like Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Kayden McDonald has turned Ohio State into the standard for defensive excellence this year.
What the Hartline transition and Patricia’s rise ultimately show is that Ohio State’s culture of development—for players and coaches alike—remains as strong as ever. The Buckeyes are sending one top assistant off to become a head coach while another is recognized as one of the very best in college football. And through it all, the mission stays the same: prepare, compete, and chase championships with the unwavering stability that defines the program.
