Looks like the transfer portal came early for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. This time, it’s not the fear of losing a player, but a coach who has established himself as one of their most valuable staff members. If insiders are to be believed, Day and Co. are almost on the verge of losing OC Brian Hartline to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

On October 31, Penn State insider Landon Tengwall invited Ohio State insider Juck on Bucks on his podcast. The Buckeyes insider shared his take, “As far as now, this is difficult to answer because a lot of people are, I think, being a little disingenuous about this because they don’t want him [Hartline] to leave.” Apparently, the boosters at Penn State are enamored with Hartline and his potential to uplift the program.

The Nittany Lions are currently operating without a permanent head coach following the firing of James Franklin. “This conversation was just on. I work at Buckeye Huddle, and this was on the board last night, and the reaction of people saying that this would be a disastrous hire. He’s not ready,” said Juck. But this feels like a smokescreen. It’s more likely that Day and Co. just do not want Hartline to follow the path of Jim Knowles.

At just 38, Hartline is already one of college football’s best head coaching candidates. The former NFL wideout, who played from 2009 to 2015, joined Ohio State’s staff in 2017 and climbed the ranks to offensive coordinator in 2023. Hartline was one of the standout WRs for the Bucks from 2005-2008 with 1429 total yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2009, his NFL career began with the Miami Dolphins. In his seven-year professional career, Hartline amassed 4,766 yards and 14 touchdowns on 344 receptions. His true claim to fame? Building the Buckeyes’ receiver room into a national powerhouse.

He’s one of the key reasons why the Buckeyes are known as Wide Receiver U. Since arriving at Ohio State in 2017, Hartline has helped recruit and develop stars, namely Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, and Emeka Egbuka, all first-round NFL picks, among others. 

Day and Co. now stands at a sensitive spot since he has taken Jeremiah Smith under his wing, who is surely a future first-round NFL Draft pick and quarterback Julian Sayin, who is currently in the Heisman race. Losing him will be a big blow for the OSU staff.

Penn State’s choices were going off the table

The Nittany Lions had allegedly planned on replacing their head coach with another head coach, and nobody else. However, their plan backfired. Earlier, they had their eyes on Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti. But it does not look like the duo will leave their current programs anytime soon. Rhule has signed a contract extension through 2032, and Cignetti, too, signed a new eight-year contract. The next question is what would make Hartline fit the Penn State puzzle?

Hartline’s coaching arc mirrors that of college football’s new-era leaders: Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, all once elite coordinators who became instant-impact head coaches. Plus, only a few can match Hartline’s recruiting prowess. He took home Recruiter of the Year honors in 2020.

Hartline could offer Penn State a fresh offensive identity, the kind needed after a frustrating 2025. With his recruiting edge and portal savvy, he could reload the roster and keep the Lions in the mix for 2026. Can Ryan Day put a lock on the door to stop Hartline from leaving?