Brian Hartline Shines as Ohio State Dominates Penn State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline led the Buckeyes to a convincing 38-14 victory over Penn State on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Ohio Stadium. Hartline’s strategic play-calling dismantled the Nittany Lions’ defense and showcased his abilities as a top contender for future coaching positions.

Hartline, 38, has been instrumental in developing Ohio State into a powerhouse for wide receivers since returning to his alma mater in 2017. He has produced numerous NFL talents, including Marvin Harrison Jr. and Chris Olave. In the recent game, players Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate stood out, combining for 11 catches and three touchdowns.

Julian Sayin, the first-year starting quarterback, benefited from Hartline’s coaching, putting forth another strong performance. Freshman running back Bo Jackson also impressed, accumulating 538 rushing yards this season. With stats like these, many are speculating whether Penn State would seek to hire Hartline as they look to turn around their program.

Hartline’s credentials as a recruiter further enhance his appeal. He was named National Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports in 2020, known for his ability to attract top talent to Ohio State, including standouts Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming.

Despite the speculation about his potential move to a head coaching position, Hartline has stated a preference to remain at Ohio State. “I love being at Ohio State. It’s well-documented,” he said. His future in coaching remains uncertain, especially with high-profile teams like Penn State awaiting decisions on their leadership.

With the ongoing coaching carousel, Hartline’s name is likely to attract attention, especially as College Football Playoff coaches begin to face new opportunities and changes. His ascent to a head coach role seems inevitable, but the timeline remains unclear.