Another piece just clicked into place on the ever-turning college football coaching carousel. Mike Hartline is officially on the move, stepping into a new role after a one-year stint at his alma mater, Kentucky.
This time, he’s headed south-and joining some familiar faces. Hartline is set to become the quarterbacks coach at USF, where he’ll work under his older brother, Brian Hartline, who was recently named the Bulls’ new head coach. It’s a significant step forward for Mike, both professionally and personally, as he reunites with family and steps into a more hands-on coaching role.
USF made the move official on Friday, announcing that former Coastal Carolina head coach Tim Beck will take over as offensive coordinator, with Mike Hartline handling the quarterbacks room. It’s a reshuffling that brings together three coaches with shared history and a clear offensive vision.
Brian Hartline, who spent the last few seasons as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, had been in the conversation for the Kentucky head coaching job before the Wildcats ultimately went with Will Stein. Once that door closed, Brian didn’t wait long to find his next opportunity-and now he’s building his own staff from the ground up in Tampa.
Bringing in his brother wasn’t just about family ties. Mike Hartline has built a solid résumé over the last decade, coaching quarterbacks at multiple stops and earning a reputation for his ability to develop talent. His experience includes a prior stint with Tim Beck at Coastal Carolina, where he served as an offensive analyst before returning to Lexington last season.
“Mike has played the quarterback position at a very high level and has coached several outstanding quarterbacks across seven stops in his 10-year coaching career,” Brian Hartline said in a statement. “He brings a deep familiarity with the offense Coach Beck and I want to run and will be exceptional in developing our players to excel in it.”
There was a moment this offseason when it seemed like Mike might stick around in Lexington. He worked closely with freshman quarterback Cutter Boley and was seen as a potential asset for the new regime. But ultimately, the opportunity to take on a bigger role-and do it alongside his brother-was too good to pass up.
It’s also a reminder of how quickly things can change when a new head coach comes in. With Will Stein now calling the shots at Kentucky, the coaching staff is undergoing a full reset. Few, if any, holdovers from the Mark Stoops era are expected to remain when the Wildcats take the field next fall.
As for Mike Hartline, he’s stepping into a new chapter-one that not only gives him more responsibility but also positions him to continue climbing the coaching ladder. And with a familiar offensive system, a trusted coordinator in Beck, and his brother at the helm, he’s got a strong foundation to build on at USF.