USF hires Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to replace Alex Golesh

FILE - Ohio State offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline stands on the field before the start of their NCAA college football game against Texas, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — South Florida has hired Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline as the program’s seventh head football coach.

Hartline replaces Alex Golesh, who left for Auburn last week.

“Brian Hartline was our clear-cut first choice to lead our football program into the most exciting era in program history, and I am so fired up to have him leading the Bulls,” USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins said in a statement Wednesday. “A relentless recruiter, outstanding developer of talent and a gritty competitor, he comes from a championship background and is obsessed with instilling championship excellence in his players and teams. He is ready to lead our program to the next level. He knows the state of Florida, having spent six seasons of his professional playing career in Miami, and has successfully recruited the state and the Bay area for a long time. We are so excited to welcome Brian, his wife Kara and their children Brayden, Kameron and Brooklyn to the Bulls family.”

Hartline has been an integral part of Ohio State’s run of success. The defending national champions are 37-4 over the last three seasons and are ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 college football rankings.

Hartline played wide receiver at Ohio State and spent seven seasons in the NFL, including six with the Miami Dolphins. He’ll be with the Buckeyes on Saturday for the Big Ten Championship game against Indiana before being introduced by USF.

“I’m honored and excited to join the University of South Florida as its new head football coach,” Hartline said in a statement. “Becoming a first-time head coach at a place like USF is a dream come true for me and my family. I look forward to leading the team to new heights, both on and off the field. Bulls Nation, we’re going to need your support and commitment to help us get to where we all want to be: never-ending championship excellence, building something that lasts, and serving our university, our community, and our fan base with integrity and passion. I can’t wait to get to work with our team and the entire USF community. Go Bulls!”

Hartline told Ohio State’s players during a team meeting on Wednesday that he was leaving. Coach Ryan Day said that Hartline would still be the offensive coordinator during the Buckeyes College Football Playoff games.

“The timing isn’t great, but that’s not Brian’s fault. Instead of being upset about it, we’re going to embrace it,” Day said. “I’m really happy for he and his family. He’s put in a lot of hard work here at Ohio State as a player and now as a coach. I think he’s going to do great. I think it’s a great opportunity for him. Looking forward to seeing how he does. That’s exciting for him.”

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