Brian Hartline is borrowing straight from Steve Sarkisian’s coaching language as he settles into his first season leading USF.
Hartline, who moved from Ohio State’s offensive coordinator job to become the Bulls’ new head coach, said the program is moving forward with the same kind of urgency that has long been attached to Sarkisian at Texas.
"[It's] all gas, no brakes," Hartline said, according to On3's Pete Nakos. "There was some success here the last couple of years, but nowhere near where it should be."
That line has become one of Sarkisian’s signature phrases in Austin, and Hartline is now using it as a message for a USF program he’s inheriting after a strong two-year run under Alex Golesh. Golesh was hired by Auburn this offseason after going 23-15 in two seasons with the Bulls.
The comparison to Sarkisian goes beyond the slogan. Texas turned to Sarkisian after a rough stretch following Mack Brown’s departure, and while the Longhorns were not in the same place as USF has been at its lowest points, the job still came with plenty of repair work.
Hartline steps into a situation that has its own history of instability. Before Golesh, USF went through difficult years under Willie Taggart, Jeff Scott and Charlie Strong, who also previously coached Texas before taking over in Tampa.
Now Hartline is the one tasked with keeping the momentum going for a Group of Six program that has already shown signs of life. The fit feels familiar enough that it’s no surprise he’s leaning on a phrase that has helped define Sarkisian’s rise at Texas, where the Longhorns have reached two College Football Playoff appearances.
The two coaches do not have much of a connection otherwise. Their most notable interaction came early last season, when Texas lost to Ohio State, though Hartline’s offense was not especially memorable in that game.
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