Brian Hartline’s move to become the head coach at South Florida marks a significant career moment for him-but for Ohio State, it’s more of a strategic adjustment than a disruption. The Buckeyes are still full steam ahead in their championship pursuit, and Hartline isn’t going anywhere just yet.
He’ll remain on the sideline through the College Football Playoff, continuing in his role as offensive coordinator. That continuity might be the most important part of this story-because in December, with everything on the line, stability matters.
A Familiar Setup, With a Subtle Shift
Let’s be clear: Ohio State’s offensive structure isn’t changing overnight. The playbook stays the same.
The terminology, preparation, and weekly rhythm all remain intact. But Hartline’s new job naturally shifts the balance of power a bit.
With Hartline juggling the early demands of a head coaching transition, Ryan Day is stepping back into a more hands-on role with the offense. He’s always had final say, but now he’s expected to lean in more-especially when it comes to tempo, situational playcalling, and the overall offensive tone.
This isn’t a full reset. It’s more like a recalibration. Hartline’s voice is still in the room, but Day’s fingerprints will be more evident in how the Buckeyes approach high-leverage moments.
Regular Season vs. Postseason: A Tale of Two Offenses
Over the past two seasons, Ohio State has shown a clear pattern. During the regular season, they’ve leaned on a slower, more methodical style-prioritizing efficiency, controlling the ball, and minimizing mistakes. It’s a style that’s helped them navigate the Big Ten gauntlet, but it’s also drawn some pushback for being too conservative at times.
Then comes the postseason-and the script flips.
Last year, the Buckeyes turned up the tempo and took more shots downfield. The offense became more aggressive, more willing to take calculated risks, and less focused on simply protecting a lead.
That wasn’t by accident. It was a conscious shift, orchestrated by Day, who believes playoff football demands a different kind of mentality-one that embraces urgency and trusts talent.
There’s every reason to expect that same approach again this year, especially with Day reasserting himself in the offensive driver's seat.
What This Means for Ohio State’s Playoff Push
With Hartline still in the fold and Day dialing up more of the offense, the Buckeyes are poised to strike a balance between structure and explosiveness. Expect them to stay organized early in games, but don’t be surprised if they hit the gas when the moment calls for it.
They’ve got the personnel to do it. The offensive line has protected Julian Sayin well all season, giving the coaching staff confidence to stretch the field. And in the playoff setting, where one drive can tilt the entire game, Day’s willingness to be bold could be the difference.
The blueprint is already there. Last year’s postseason run showed what this offense looks like when it’s unshackled-fast, fearless, and dangerous. If Ohio State can clean up some of the protection issues that showed up in Indianapolis and fully commit to Day’s postseason mindset, they could be peaking at exactly the right time.
Bottom line: Hartline’s next chapter begins soon, but his current one isn’t over yet. And with Day stepping in to guide the offense through the playoff gauntlet, Ohio State might just be more dangerous than ever.