Brian Hartline just admitted why he’s leaving Ohio State for South Florida after years as a Buckeye……………… watch more below
When Brian Hartline announced that he was departing Ohio State Buckeyes to take the head-coach job at South Florida Bulls, many fans were stunned. But in his first public comments since the move, Hartline laid out clearly why he made the leap — and as he described it, the job at South Florida was a “world-class opportunity” that felt deeply personal for him and his family.
Hartline’s journey has long been intertwined with Ohio State. He starred as a receiver for the Buckeyes from 2005–2008, then spent seven years in the NFL, including six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. (USF Athletics) Back in 2017 he joined Ohio State’s coaching staff as a quality-control assistant. By 2018, he was the wide receivers coach, a role in which he built a reputation as one of college football’s top developers of receiving talent. (buckeyehuddle.com)
In 2025, he ascended to full offensive coordinator and play-caller. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes offense ranked among the nation’s best — scoring 37 points per game, generating nearly 439 yards per game, and putting up some of the most impressive wide receiver production in college football
But despite that success, Hartline says this season isn’t the right time to remain in his current role. Instead, he sees the South Florida job as the right next step — his first chance to lead a program as head coach.
At the core of Hartline’s decision to leave Ohio State lies his connection to Florida. He spent six years of his professional playing career in Miami, and said that Florida “was always second to none” in his heart.
He also emphasized how much his family cared about the move. With a wife from Columbus and three children, Hartline acknowledged that uprooting wasn’t easy — but insisted that the right place mattered more than comfort. The chance to relocate his family to Florida, a place he considers home, played a central role.
Beyond convenient geography, Hartline pointed out that Florida’s recruiting pipeline is unmatched. He spent years recruiting Florida talent to Ohio State — many of his top receivers this season are Floridians — and now he wants to bring that ability to South Florida across all positions. (Eleven Warriors)
He said plainly: living in Florida, recruiting in Florida, coaching in Florida — in a hotbed of talent — was a dream he could no longer ignore.
Hartline did not leave Ohio State lightly. In his press conference as USF’s new head coach, he thanked many: his former coaches at Ohio State, the athletic department, and especially the Buckeyes community. (Eleven Warriors)
He acknowledged that choosing South Florida required significant sacrifice. His wife’s family is in Ohio. His three young children were growing up near grandparents and longtime friends. The decision to leave was not simple — but Hartline insists it was right.
On moving forward to lead the Bulls, he spoke with passion. He pledged to build a program rooted in family, love, integrity, and championship ambition. He promised to recruit top talent and to craft a culture focused on unity and excellence.
Hartline’s vision for South Florida echoes the championship mentality Ohio State has long embodied under its elite coaching staff — but now it will be a mentality he alone will shape.
For Ohio State, losing Hartline is a big blow. As offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, he has long been regarded as one of the nation’s most effective recruiters and developer of NFL-level talent.
Though he will finish out the season with the Buckeyes through the postseason and the College Football Playoff, the program must now prepare for a transition.
For South Florida, Hartline represents a major upgrade. He arrives with a proven track record, a deep knowledge of elite recruits — especially in Florida — and a bold ambition to build a championship-caliber program.
His move might signal a new era for USF — a chance to recast itself under a coach who believes in combining family values, program discipline, and top-tier talent development.
Ultimately, Hartline’s departure from Ohio State wasn’t about dissatisfaction or backstage drama. It was about embracing a new challenge — one that many coaching aspirants dream of but few get: being the head coach.
It was about returning to Florida — a place he knows, loves, and feels deeply connected to. It was about giving his family a home in a place he considers a second home.
Most of all, it was about seizing a “world-class opportunity.” In Hartline’s own words, becoming head coach at South Florida is a dream come true — and one he gladly accepted.
Whether the leap pays off will soon become clear. But for now, Brian Hartline is betting not just on his coaching skills .