Ryan Day Assigns Crucial Homework to Brian Hartline After Naming Him Ohio State Offensive Coordinator

The Ohio State Buckeyes are entering the upcoming college football season with heightened expectations and a retooled coaching staff. At the center of this transition is Brian Hartline, the former wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, who has officially been elevated to the role of offensive coordinator. Head coach Ryan Day, known for his meticulous offensive planning, has not just handed Hartline the title—he’s given him homework that could determine the team’s offensive identity moving forward.

Hartline’s promotion reflects both his stellar work developing elite receivers and Day’s confidence in his ability to take on a broader responsibility. However, with the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations hanging in the balance, Day is making sure that Hartline’s new duties go beyond simply maintaining the team’s passing excellence. His “homework,” as Day framed it, involves studying and understanding every component of the offense, from run-blocking schemes to quarterback decision-making, so that Hartline can orchestrate the attack at the highest level.

Building on Wide Receiver Dominance

During his tenure as Ohio State’s receivers coach, Hartline has become a household name in the college football world. He has recruited and developed a lineage of NFL-caliber wideouts, including Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. His units consistently ranked among the best in the country, both in production and in big-play ability.

Day has often credited Hartline with maintaining the Buckeyes’ offensive explosiveness through the air, which has been a critical factor in their playoff appearances in recent years. However, the responsibilities of an offensive coordinator stretch far beyond coaching one position group. Hartline now must oversee the delicate balance of running and passing, making in-game adjustments, and collaborating closely with the quarterbacks to ensure the offense runs smoothly.

This is where Day’s “homework” comes into play. Reports suggest that Hartline has been tasked with reviewing game film from past seasons, breaking down how the Buckeyes’ offense has succeeded and where it has stalled. Day wants Hartline to fully internalize the strategic decisions that go into every play call, including situational football like red-zone efficiency, third-down conversions, and clock management.

Transitioning from Specialist to Strategist

One of the key challenges Hartline faces in his new role is shifting from a position-specific mindset to an overarching strategic vision. Coaching wide receivers primarily involves perfecting route-running, timing, and chemistry with quarterbacks. But as offensive coordinator, Hartline is now responsible for coordinating the efforts of the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, and quarterbacks to form a cohesive attack.

Day has emphasized that part of Hartline’s growth will come from mastering the run game, which has been a point of inconsistency for Ohio State in recent seasons. While the Buckeyes have had talented backs like TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, injuries and blocking issues have occasionally stalled the ground attack in big games. Hartline’s homework includes breaking down how to integrate the rushing scheme more seamlessly with the passing game, creating an offense that is less predictable and more dynamic against elite defenses.

“Brian has done an incredible job with our receivers, but calling plays and running an offense is a different challenge,” Day reportedly said during offseason media sessions. “He needs to know what it takes to keep the chains moving, to adapt in the middle of games, and to put our guys in the best position to succeed. That’s the assignment he’s working on right now.”

Collaboration and Leadership

Another part of Hartline’s assignment is learning how to manage and lead the offensive coaching staff effectively. Play calling is only one piece of the offensive coordinator’s job. He will need to work closely with the quarterbacks coach, offensive line coach, and running backs coach to ensure that the game plan is fully understood and executable across all positions.

Day’s homework likely includes extensive collaboration in spring and fall practices, giving Hartline opportunities to script plays, lead offensive meetings, and make real-time adjustments during scrimmages. Day has indicated he will continue to play a role in game planning, but he wants Hartline to grow into the primary voice of the offense over time.

Veteran players have already expressed confidence in Hartline’s leadership. Marvin Harrison Jr., who could be the top wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft, praised Hartline’s attention to detail and his ability to motivate players to reach their peak. That trust will be crucial as Hartline takes on a role that will require commanding the respect of the entire offensive unit.

Preparing for a Championship Run

The stakes for this coaching transition are high. Ohio State enters the season with national title hopes and a roster loaded with offensive talent. Hartline’s ability to translate his success as a position coach into a complete offensive vision could be the difference between a playoff berth and another year of falling short against rivals like Michigan or powerhouse SEC programs.

Day’s approach—assigning Hartline detailed homework—reflects both his trust and his high standards. By giving Hartline a structured pathway to master his new responsibilities, Day is investing in the long-term success of the Buckeyes’ offense while maintaining the high expectations that come with leading a program of Ohio State’s caliber.