Brian Hartline named head coach of USF Football

Brian Hartline. (Photo: Mike Zenitz X account)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The University of South Florida is set to hire Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Brian Hartline as head football coach, according to ESPN sports writer Pete Thamel.

Sources: Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is expected to become the next coach at South Florida. He’s OSU’s play caller and built a reputation as the country’s top developer of wide receivers. pic.twitter.com/U0227G4LDo

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 3, 2025

Hartline has been with Ohio State since 2017, advancing to the position of offensive coordinator from his previous role as receivers coach, during which he developed five first-round draft picks since 2022. 

He completed his high school education at Canton GlenOak High School in 2005, subsequently playing and attending Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in communications in 2009.

A 5 star signing!! ✍️

Welcome to Tampa Bay, @brianhartline! 🤘 pic.twitter.com/xcywK2vbIb

— USF Football (@USFFootball) December 3, 2025

This will be his first head coaching job after succeeding Alex Golesh, who was hired by Auburn following the 2025 season.

South Florida competes in the American Conference of the NCAA and is an FBS Division I program. They play their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, but will have a new state-of-the-art $340 million stadium built on campus, set to host home games starting in 2027.