Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline motions during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on March 19, 2025.

The past few seasons, Brian Hartline has been a popular name as a potential head coach.

In his second stint as Ohio State's primary offensive coordinator, Hartline has been the lead play-caller, helping the Buckeyes to maintain one of the highest-scoring offenses in college football.

South Florida is hoping that pedigree and success will follow to Tampa as the Bulls tabbed Hartline to be its next head coach, replacing Alex Golesh who took the Auburn job.

Here's how we grade the move:

Grade: B

South Florida had success going the offensive coordinator route the last time it made a hire, plucking Alex Golesh from Tennessee. Now that Golesh is off to Auburn, USF is doubling down with another offensive coordinator, and it nabbed one whom some had viewed as a possible candidate for Penn State.

Hartline has been an ace recruiter for the Buckeyes and a fixture of Ryan Day’s coaching staff. He’s spent his entire coaching career at Ohio State, his alma mater.

Coaching wide receivers is his forte, and he’s developed some of the best receivers in the country the past several seasons. Hartline took over play-calling duties this season with Chip Kelly off to the NFL, and Ohio State’s offense hasn’t skipped a beat.

Working under Urban Meyer and then Day, Hartline learned from two excellent coaches. If there’s a concern, it’s that he’s never experienced anything outside of the Buckeye bubble, and now he’s off to run his own program.

At least he’ll have resources at his back. USF enjoys one of the most well-heeled programs in the American Conference, and it’s located in choice recruiting territory. Pair USF’s bankroll with Hartline’s chops for recruiting, and the Bulls should regularly field one of the most talented rosters within the Group of Five.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grading the hire: South Florida doubles down with Brian Hartline hire

Reporting by Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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