USF Bulls name Brian Hartline as next head football coach

Merely days after former USF Bulls football head coach, Alex Golesh leaves Tampa Bay for the head coaching gig at Auburn, South Florida announces the hiring of Brian Hartline as the seventh head coach in program history.

Hartline, who most recently served as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, is highly regarded as one of the best recruiters and talent developers in the nation. USF is currently ranked #67 in 2026 recruiting class by 247sports.com, so expect that ranking to go up before the end of recruiting season.

Hartline, an Ohio State alum, played in the NFL for seven season, including six with the Miami Dolphins, making him very familiar with arguably the best recruiting grounds in the nation.

After his stint in the NFL, he returned to Ohio State in 2017 to begin his coaching career as a graduate assistant. He was named the wide receiver’s coach shortly thereafter. In 2020, he named the "National Recruiter of the Year" by 247Sports. The following year, he was promoted to passing game coordinator while still holding his WR coach title. In 2023 he promoted to offensive coordinator, but took a backseat in 2024 to Chip Kelly. However, for the 2025 season he was back in the saddle as the OC.

He’s been credited with producing top talent and multiple first round selections, such as Buccaneers standout rookie, Emeka Egbuka. Also, Marvin Harrison Jr, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, and Garrett Wilson came up under his tutelage.

University of South Florida CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins has announced the selection of Brian Hartline earlier today, saying:

“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. A relentless recruiter, outstanding developer of talent and a gritty competitor, he comes from a championship background and is obsessed with instilling championship excellence in his players and teams. He is ready to lead our program to the next level. He knows the state of Florida, having spent six seasons of his professional playing career in Miami, and has successfully recruited the state and the Bay area for a long time. We are so excited to welcome Brian, his wife Kara and their children Brayden, Kameron and Brooklyn to the Bulls family.”

Hartline will coach OSU in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship game against Indiana before being introduced to Bulls Nation and media.

Ohio State Spring Showcase COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 12: Offensive Coordinator Brian Hartline of the Ohio State Buckeyes calls a play during the fourth quarter of the Ohio State Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images) (Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

Wisconsin v Ohio State COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Hartline #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hauls in a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers on November 3, 2007 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 38-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Michigan Wolverines v Ohio State Buckeyes COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 22: Brian Hartline #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass for a touchdown during the Big Ten Conference game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins Minicamp DAVIE, FL - MAY 02: Rookie wide receiver Brian Hartline #82 of the Miami Dolphins catches a ball during mini camp on May 2, 2009 at the Miami Dolphins Training facility in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins v Houston Texans HOUSTON,TX - SEPTEMBER 09: Brian Hartline #82 of the Miami Dolphins completes a reception as he beats Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans on the play during the season opener at Reliant Stadium on September 9, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins v Arizona Cardinals GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Brian Hartline #82 of the Miami Dolphins catches a 57 yard reception past cornerback William Gay #22 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 27: Armon Binns #19 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates his touchdown catch with Brian Hartline #82 he New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Ohio State v Northwestern EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 05: Wide receiver coach Brian Hartline of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Ryan Field on November 05, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Ohio State v Notre Dame SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 23: Offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 23, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Ohio State Spring Football Game COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 15: Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a call during the Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images) (Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

Ohio State v Northwestern CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 16: Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)