Ohio State and new head coach Ryan Day have officially promoted Brian Hartline to the full-time wide receivers coach.
Hartline took over on an interim basis this season following the firing of former receivers coach Zach Smith. Hartline has previously been part of the staff in 2017 as a quality control analyst and also a volunteer during bowl prep in 2016.
Under Hartline’s tutelage, receivers Parris Campbell, KJ Hill, Johnnie Dixon, and Terry McLaurin all had career years. Campbell is on pace to become OSU’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Michael Jenkins in 2002.
Here is the release from Ohio State.
Ryan Day Elevates Brian Hartline to Permanent WR Coach
Former Buckeye and 7-year NFL veteran has been a part of six Ohio State teams and six Big Ten titles
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Brian Hartline, who coached a receiver unit this season whose cumulative statistical numbers alone would be school single season records for receptions, yards and touchdowns, has been elevated to permanent wide receiver’s coach by Ohio State coach Ryan Day after serving in an interim capacity this season.
Hartline just completed his second season with the Buckeyes. He was a quality control coach for the team throughout 2017 and then was named interim receivers coach in July of this year. Hartline is a 2009 Ohio State University graduate who spent seven seasons in the National Football League with six years as a Miami Dolphin and his final season with the Cleveland Browns.
“Brian is a terrific young coach and mentor to our players and I am thrilled he is on our staff permanently now,” Day, who takes over as Ohio State head coach Jan. 2, said. “Brian was displaying outstanding leadership qualities when he was a quality control coach, and his efforts coaching the wide receivers this season are a huge reason we are Big Ten champions and headed to the Rose Bowl.”
Led by three fifth-year senior co-captains, Parris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon and Terry McLaurin, and including fourth-year junior K.J. Hill, Ohio State’s receiver unit caught 291 passes this season for 4,211 yards and 43 touchdowns … totals that alone break the school single season marks of 287 receptions (set in 2017), 3,707 yards (2014) and 42 touchdowns (2014).
This year’s wide receiver room also became the first in school history to have four players with at least 1,000 career receiving yards. Entering the Rose Bowl, Campbell has 1,697 career receiving yards, Hill has 1,642, McLaurin has 1,219 and Dixon has 1,119.
Hartline joined the Ohio State staff in early 2017 after a terrific playing career in the NFL with the Dolphins between 2009-14 and Browns (2015). He played in 104 games with 73 starts, and had 344 career receptions for 4,766 yards and 14 touchdowns. His best seasons came in 2012 and 2013, when he combined to catch 150 passes for 2,099 yards for the Dolphins. He caught 30 or more passes in each of his seven NFL seasons.
Among former Buckeye receivers who played in the NFL, Hartline ranks high statistically when comparing them: he is fifth among NFL Buckeyes in yards, per catch average (13.9) and games started; sixth in games played and receptions; and seventh in touchdowns.
Hartline played for the Scarlet and Gray from 2005 through 2008 and was a part of four Big Ten championship teams – meaning he’s been with six Ohio State teams and has won six Big Ten titles. He also played an integral role in Ohio State reaching consecutive BCS National Championship games in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, he caught a career-best 52 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns. Hartline’s career numbers include 90 catches, 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hartline graduated from Ohio State in spring 2009 with his degree in communications. He and his wife, Kara, have a young son, Brayden.
Please Day…….Get rid of the Grinch, Taver Johnson, Alford, Studrawa, Billly Davis, And Schiano…
Grinch and Taver just this year came into a garbage scheme forced upon them by Schiano and Davis. I say give them at least another opportunity with new and vastly improved coordination. Coach Johnson is very qualified in that regard. Cutting too many coaches makes it more difficult for the players. I say you cut the obvious garbage, put the others on notice, and for sure retain Larry Johnson and Kevin Wilson along with Hartline, Grinch, Taver and MAYBE Alford. It’s all about continuity at this point.
Warfield was a halfback for Woody. Don’t know how often he was ‘wide open’ in the secondary. Though, he was certainly one of the most fluid and precise route-runners in NFL history. Would love to see the numbers he’d put up in today’s more receiver friendly NFL
I hope he does very well. This next season will tell all.
Good 1st coaching decision. Keep ’em coming, Coach Day.
Congratulations to Coach Hartline. Wishing you much success.
(Does this mean, “3 yards and a cloud of dust is officially over?”, obviously just kidding.)
What a pleasure it is to see the Buckeyes use all their abilities to score touchdowns. I remember back in my day with Coach Hayes on the sidelines, and Paul Warfield getting wide open, and still the Coach would not call for a pass, because “only 3 things can happen when you pass, and 2 are bad.”
Boy, have things changed.
With all sincerity, much success to you and the Buckeyes, and Thank You.
Paul Warfield was open more often that a 24/7/365 convenience store. It was never a surprise to anyone that he lit up the NFL.
This may be nitpicking but NOTHING can be open more than something that is ALWAYS open!