Buckeye Nation Is BUZZING: Brian Hartline’s Last Ride? Unleashing Jeremiah Smith and a Title-Ready Aerial Attack in Columbus

Columbus is electric. The buzz surrounding Ohio State football this summer isn’t just about national championship dreams or a top-ranked defense—it’s about a possible farewell tour for one of the most vital architects of the Buckeyes’ explosive offense: Brian Hartline.

The former Buckeye wideout turned coaching phenom is entering what could be his final season in Columbus. He’s earned that possibility. After turning down multiple head coaching inquiries—including serious flirtation with the Tulsa job—Hartline is ready to unleash one of the most dynamic offenses in college football history.

And with sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith returning after a jaw-dropping freshman campaign, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Buckeye Nation, you might be witnessing the dawn of something unforgettable—or the last hurrah of a legend in the making.

From Buckeye Star to $2M Offensive Coordinator

Brian Hartline bleeds scarlet and gray. From suiting up as a receiver under Jim Tressel to climbing the coaching ranks under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, Hartline has quickly become one of the most respected offensive minds in college football.

Now making $2 million annually as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator—the highest-paid non-head coach in program history—Hartline carries more than just a clipboard. He carries the expectations of a fan base desperate to return to national prominence after a few years stuck just outside the CFP winner’s circle.

Yet for all his accomplishments—recruiting and developing NFL-ready talent like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr.—Hartline’s fire still burns for something more: leadership at the top.

Sources close to the program say Tulsa’s interest in Hartline this past offseason was real. And while he passed on the opportunity—for now—it opened eyes. “Brian wants to run his own show one day,” one insider shared. “If this offense blows up the way it could in 2025, he’s gone.”

Jeremiah Smith Is the Weapon That Could Send Hartline Out with a Bang

If Hartline does move on after this year, he won’t be doing it quietly. With quarterback competition heating up between Air Noland and Lincoln Kienholz, the offense is expected to lean heavily on its elite group of wideouts.

None are more dangerous than Jeremiah Smith.

After recording 934 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman—and that’s with inconsistent quarterback play—Smith enters 2025 as the undisputed WR1 and a frontrunner for the Biletnikoff Award. Scouts already call him the best receiver in college football. Coaches whisper that he could be the best Buckeye wideout ever.

“He’s Marvin Harrison Jr. with more burst,” Hartline said in spring camp. “Jeremiah doesn’t just change games—he takes them over.”

Smith is expected to be the focal point of a revamped, pass-heavy offense that returns multiple key receivers and adds more explosive plays into the mix. If Hartline’s playcalling evolves as expected, Smith could eclipse 1,500 yards—and push the Buckeyes back into serious national title contention.

Ryan Day’s Trust in Hartline Could Define the Season

Ryan Day’s decision to promote Hartline in 2023 and hand him more control of the offense in 2024 was met with both excitement and scrutiny. Hartline’s development as a recruiter and position coach was unquestioned, but could he call plays in the biggest moments?

While there were growing pains last season—particularly in the Michigan loss—his offensive schemes have matured, and the chemistry with Day is stronger than ever. Day, whose seat grows warmer with every loss to “That Team Up North,” is betting big on Hartline’s ability to win through the air in 2025.

“We’ve got the weapons. We’ve got the brains. Now it’s about putting it all together,” Day said at Big Ten Media Days. “Brian’s done a phenomenal job creating an offense that adapts and attacks.”

The Buckeyes’ schedule includes early tests against Texas and Penn State, and the offense will need to fire from the first snap. If it does—and if Hartline shines—expect his name to dominate coaching hot boards across the country by midseason.

Buckeye Legacy or Head Coaching Dreams?

It’s the million-dollar question—scratch that, the two-million-dollar question. Will Hartline remain in Columbus as a loyal son of the Buckeye tradition, or will he chase the dream of building his own program elsewhere?

Coaches close to Hartline say the allure of becoming a head coach has grown over the years. He’s now 38. He’s seen contemporaries get their shots. And after building Ohio State into Wide Receiver U, he knows he’s ready.

“If he leads this offense to a national championship,” said an anonymous Big Ten coach, “his phone will be ringing nonstop. He’s not going to stay forever, and he shouldn’t.”

The Buckeyes’ administration would love to keep Hartline in the fold—potentially even as a successor to Ryan Day down the line. But the coaching carousel waits for no man. Programs in the ACC, Big 12, and even low-tier SEC schools are watching closely.

A Legacy in the Making, Either Way

Whether this is the final ride for Hartline in Columbus or merely the beginning of a new chapter in his evolution, 2025 will be a defining year. His offense is loaded. His wide receiver room is arguably the most talented in the nation.

Jeremiah Smith is poised to have a record-breaking season. The quarterback room, though young, is filled with high-ceiling playmakers. And Hartline’s instincts for mismatches and aggressive play design could transform the Buckeyes into the most entertaining show in college football.

For a fan base still aching from recent losses to Michigan and early playoff exits, this season offers something rare: hope that something truly special is about to happen.

And for Hartline, it’s a chance to etch his name alongside the legends—not just as a coach, but as the man who may have resurrected a dynasty.

What’s at Stake in 2025

• A national title: With Hartline calling plays and Smith breaking coverage, the Buckeyes are true contenders.

• A coaching future: Hartline’s next move could shake up the coaching landscape—will it be at Ohio State or elsewhere?

• QB development: Whoever wins the QB1 battle—Air Noland or Lincoln Kienholz—will need Hartline’s guidance to shine under pressure.

• A farewell tour?: If this is Hartline’s last season, expect a year full of fireworks, unpredictability, and jaw-dropping offense.

Buckeye Nation, savor this moment. You’ve got one of the best offensive minds in football, a generational talent at wide receiver, and a chip on your shoulder big enough to shake the nation.

Brian Hartline may be headed for his own throne someday. But first, he’s here to light up the Shoe with the kind of offense that brings banners.

So lean in. Get loud. And remember—if this is Hartline’s last dance in Columbus, he’s planning to leave it all on the field.

Let the fireworks begin.