The University of South Florida announced Wednesday that it has hired Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline as its new head football coach. Hartline, who played wide receiver for the Buckeyes before posting a seven-year NFL career, will replace Alex Golesh, who was named as the new Auburn coach Sunday.

“Brian Hartline was our clear-cut first choice to lead our football program into the most exciting era in program history, and I am so fired up to have him leading the Bulls,” USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins said. “A relentless recruiter, outstanding developer of talent and a gritty competitor, he comes from a championship background.”

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said in a press conference Wednesday that Hartline will continue to coach with Buckeyes through their postseason run. “I’m really happy for he and his family,” Day said.

“He’s put a lot of hard work here at Ohio State as a player and now as a coach. It’s gratifying to see one of your assistants get one of these opportunities. And I think he’s going to do great.”

On the day when many high school recruits were announcing their college decisions, Day added, “Looking forward to see how (Hartline) does. And so that’s exciting for him. The timing isn’t great, but that’s not Brian’s fault. That’s, you know, other people’s fault.”

Hartline grew up in Canton, attending GlenOak High School before playing for the Buckeyes for three seasons. He entered the 2009 NFL draft and was chosen by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round. He played six seasons there before joining the Cleveland Browns for his final season.

He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant with Ohio State in 2017 and steadily moved his way up on the staff, always working with the team’s wide receivers. He developed an acclaimed group of wideouts for the Buckeyes, including first-round NFL picks Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Garrett Wilson.