Ryan Day has his hands full in Columbus - and not just with playoff prep. As Ohio State gears up for a postseason run, Day is also navigating the early stages of a crucial coaching search.
The Buckeyes are set to lose Brian Hartline after the playoff, with the wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator heading to South Florida for a head coaching opportunity. That departure leaves a significant void on Day’s staff - and not just in one area.
Hartline didn’t just coach receivers; he was also one of the most effective recruiters in the country. Replacing that kind of impact requires more than just a clipboard and a whistle.
It calls for someone who can walk into a living room and win over a five-star recruit just as easily as they can scheme up a third-and-long conversion. That’s why Day is already deep into the interview process - and his first candidate brings a résumé worth paying attention to.
According to multiple sources, Cortez Hankton has interviewed for a position on Ohio State’s staff. Hankton has spent the last three seasons coaching wide receivers at LSU, and in 2024, he added co-offensive coordinator duties to his title.
His time in Baton Rouge, however, came to a crossroads when Lane Kiffin took over the Tigers and brought in George McDonald from Ole Miss to take over the wide receiver room. That move opened the door for Hankton to explore new opportunities - and Ohio State wasted little time bringing him in for a conversation.
There’s no official word yet on what Hankton’s role would be in Columbus. Hartline wore two hats - overseeing the wideouts while also helping call plays - and Day could be looking for someone who can do the same.
Whether Hankton would slide into one of those roles or take on a blended position remains to be seen. But what’s clear is this: Hankton checks a lot of boxes.
Start with recruiting. During his time at LSU, Hankton helped sign three straight Top 10 high school classes and played a major role in assembling the No. 1 transfer portal haul for 2025.
That’s no small feat in today’s college football landscape, where roster building is as much about portal strategy as it is about high school scouting. With Hartline - arguably Ohio State’s top recruiter - headed out the door, bringing in someone with Hankton’s track record is a smart play.
Then there’s his development résumé. In 2024, Hankton coached Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., both of whom were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Nabers went sixth overall, Thomas 23rd - and both topped 1,000 yards as rookies in the league. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident.
Hankton has proven he can not only recruit elite talent but also develop it into NFL-ready playmakers. That’s exactly what Ohio State needs, especially with young stars like Jeremiah Smith waiting in the wings.
Hankton’s coaching journey has been built steadily. Before LSU, he spent time at Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and Georgia - where he was part of the Bulldogs’ national championship team in 2022.
While in Athens, he worked with George Pickens and helped send Mecole Hardman, Riley Ridley, and Terry Godwin to the NFL. Add in his six-year NFL playing career, and you’ve got a coach who understands both sides of the process - from college development to pro transition.
The timing works in Day’s favor. With three weeks before Ohio State’s playoff showdown against the winner of Miami vs.
Texas A&M, there’s enough breathing room to conduct thorough interviews and weigh options without rushing into a hire. But make no mistake: Hankton is the kind of candidate who doesn’t stay on the market long.
He’s a proven recruiter, a developer of top-tier talent, and a coach with experience at the highest levels of college football.
Replacing Brian Hartline won’t be easy. But if Day wants to keep the Buckeyes’ wide receiver pipeline humming - and maintain Ohio State’s offensive identity - Cortez Hankton might just be the right man for the job.