The college football coaching carousel is spinning fast and furious, and it just took another sharp turn. Brian Hartline, long viewed as one of the rising stars in the coaching ranks, is reportedly set to become the next head coach at South Florida. The Ohio State offensive coordinator has been a hot name in this cycle, and while Kentucky ultimately went with Will Stein, USF wasted no time in locking in their top choice.
Hartline, known for his sharp offensive mind and elite recruiting chops, will take over for Alex Golesh, who departed for Auburn earlier this week. According to reports, Hartline was USF’s No. 1 target from the start - even before Golesh officially left town.
That kind of conviction from a program says a lot about how Hartline is viewed in coaching circles. And it’s not hard to see why.
He’s expected to finish out the season with Ohio State, calling plays through the College Football Playoff. That’s a significant detail - not just out of loyalty to the Buckeyes, but because it shows how highly Ohio State still values his presence on the sideline. Hartline’s offenses have been creative, explosive, and efficient, and he’s played a major role in developing some of the top wide receiver talent in the country.
But Hartline isn’t the only name making headlines this week. Over in Manhattan, Kansas State fans woke up to a stunning development: Chris Klieman is expected to retire after seven seasons at the helm. Klieman, who came to K-State after a dominant run at North Dakota State, where he won four national titles, took on the daunting task of following Bill Snyder - a legend in every sense of the word.
And to his credit, Klieman carved out his own legacy. He went 54-34 with the Wildcats and delivered a Big 12 Championship in 2022.
But this past season was rocky. The team never quite found its rhythm, especially after handing the keys to quarterback Avery Johnson.
The former five-star recruit had sky-high expectations, but the results didn’t match the hype. The pressure mounted, and it visibly weighed on Klieman.
After a crushing late-game collapse at Utah, he broke down in tears during his postgame press conference - a raw, emotional moment that said everything about how much he poured into the job.
Now, it looks like Kansas State will turn to a familiar face: Collin Klein. The former K-State quarterback has been turning heads as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator, and he’s expected to return home to lead the program. Like Hartline, Klein will continue in his current role through the College Football Playoff, giving the Aggies continuity as they chase a title.
This is what makes the coaching carousel so unpredictable. One move sets off a chain reaction, and before you know it, programs are making bold hires, fan bases are recalibrating expectations, and familiar names are taking on new challenges. For Hartline and Klein, the next chapter is about to begin - and both are stepping into the spotlight with plenty to prove.