Just three days after Chip Kelly left Ohio State to become the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, the Buckeyes have reportedly looked in-house to find his replacement.
According to Pete Nakos of On3, the Buckeyes are promoting Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator for the 2025 season after eight years with the team, seven of those as the wide receivers coach and two as the offensive coordinator/co-offensive coordinator.
Although Hartline did have the title before, he has never called plays for the offense, with head coach Ryan Day not giving up those duties until Kelly joined the staff for the 2024 season. But now that Day’s CEO role worked out well enough to win a national championship, it’s possible that Hartline could assume play calling duties going forward.
Nakos reported that it is unclear if Hartline or Day will serve as the 2025 play caller for the Buckeyes in 2025.
The former Buckeye pass catcher and NFL wideout has been one of the best recruiters in the country as wide receivers coach, bringing in players like Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. and many more who he has sent off to the NFL.
Hartline will now lead an offense that has to replace four offensive linemen, both regular running backs, it’s starting slot receiver and tight end as well as the starting quarterback.
In addition to Hartline’s promotion, Ohio State is also elevating Billy Fessler to quarterbacks coach. Fessler was an offensive analyst for the Buckeyes this season, spending most of the time with the quarterbacks. He has also held a more prominent role in recruiting after Kelly and offensive line coach Justin Frye left for the NFL.
Fessler has experience in his new role, as he was quarterbacks coach at UCLA alongside Kelly in 2023.
