With a three-and-a-half-week gap between the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, Ohio State has a rare window to regroup, refocus, and address some key questions heading into what they hope is another deep postseason run. And let’s be honest-there’s no shortage of storylines swirling around Columbus right now, especially after the news that Brian Hartline is headed to South Florida to take over as head coach.
So, how are the Buckeyes handling the transition? Let’s break it down.
Holding the Recruiting Line
The first priority for Ohio State was clear: protect the 2026 recruiting class. Hartline wasn’t just the offensive coordinator-he was one of the nation’s premier recruiters, especially when it came to bringing elite wide receiver talent to Columbus.
His departure could have easily triggered a domino effect of decommitments. But credit to Ryan Day and the recruiting staff-they held the line.
Top-25 wideouts Chris Henry Jr. and Jerquaden Guilford both took time to reassess their options after Hartline’s announcement, but ultimately signed with the Buckeyes. That’s a major win.
And if Legend Bey follows through and signs with Ohio State, as expected after being released from his commitment to Tennessee, this class could land firmly inside the top five nationally. In a recruiting landscape that’s more volatile than ever, that’s no small feat.
Hartline’s Final Act in Scarlet and Gray
The next big decision? What to do with Hartline for the remainder of the season.
Some programs opt to let outgoing coordinators finish the year, especially when they’re headed to a non-competing school. Others prefer a clean break.
But in this case, Ryan Day and Hartline sat down and came to a decision: Hartline will stay on through the College Football Playoff.
That means Hartline will continue calling plays, even as Day is expected to take a more hands-on role with the offense-something we saw last year during the Buckeyes’ postseason push. It’s a delicate balance, but one that could pay off. Hartline knows this offense inside and out, and continuity matters when you’re trying to win a national title.
What It Means Moving Forward
This isn’t just about managing the short term. How Ohio State handles Hartline’s transition could set the tone for what comes next-both in terms of coaching staff dynamics and recruiting stability. The Buckeyes are still in the thick of the national title hunt, and keeping the offensive rhythm intact is critical.
So while Hartline’s departure is a big storyline, Ohio State seems to be playing it the right way-keeping their class intact, maintaining continuity on offense, and giving themselves the best shot to compete at the highest level. The next few weeks will reveal a lot, but for now, the Buckeyes look like a team focused on the task at hand.