Ryan Day is on the hunt for yet another offensive coordinator after Chip Kelly’s unexpected move to the NFL.
Kelly, who had been hired by Day to fill the position, left on Sunday to become the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.
His new NFL job will pay him a reported $6 million per season – triple what he was earning at Ohio State.
Day’s search for a replacement is now in full swing, and the stakes are high.
Kelly’s exit marks the latest shake-up for the Buckeyes, who just claimed the national championship two weeks ago.
The decision on who to hire will have long-term ramifications, especially as Day contemplates whether to look within the program or bring in a fresh face from outside.
When Kelly was brought on board, Day made a notable decision: he relinquished his play-calling duties for the first time as Ohio State’s head coach.
Kelly’s arrival allowed Day to focus on broader aspects of the program, with the expectation that Kelly would handle the offense.
However, with Kelly’s exit, Day must once again navigate a critical coaching hire – and how it impacts his role as play-caller will be one of the most intriguing elements of the search.
One of the most obvious internal candidates to take over as offensive coordinator is Brian Hartline, currently Ohio State’s wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Hartline, who has spent eight seasons with the Buckeyes, is highly regarded for his recruiting abilities and his work developing wide receivers.
After interviewing for the head coaching job at West Virginia, Hartline is expected to receive interest from other programs, which could force Day to make a decision about his future at Ohio State.
Day could look to keep Hartline on staff and promote him to the top offensive role, but there are questions about Hartline’s readiness to take on the responsibilities of a full-time play-caller.
Despite not having called plays before, Hartline has earned the opportunity to take the reins, especially with his demonstrated success in Columbus.
On a side note, perhaps five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., a 2026 Buckeyes commit, knew some inside information when he shot down a Michigan-flip report with a simple picture of Hartline celebrating the national title victory…
While Hartline is the clear favorite from within the program, Day will undoubtedly explore external candidates as well. Here are a few options he’ll likely consider…
Kevin Wilson: A familiar name for Day, Wilson coached alongside him at Ohio State from 2017-2022. Wilson, 63, served as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, helping to develop Ohio State’s high-powered offense. After a lackluster tenure as Tulsa’s head coach, Wilson’s proven track record as an offensive coordinator and his solid relationship with Day could make him a strong candidate. A co-coordinator setup, with Hartline and Wilson sharing duties, is also a possibility.
Andy Kotelnicki: A rising star in the coaching world, Kotelnicki is currently Penn State’s offensive coordinator. After serving as Kansas’ offensive coordinator from 2021-2023, he led the Jayhawks’ offense to new heights before joining the Nittany Lions. Kotelnicki’s reputation as a brilliant offensive mind and his recent success could make him a target for Day, despite a lack of prior relationship between the two.
Jason Candle: Toledo’s head coach, Candle has built a solid reputation in his nine years at the helm, compiling a 73-40 record. He was Toledo’s offensive coordinator for four years before taking over as head coach, and his experience as a play-caller makes him an intriguing option. The fact that Candle is a native of Ohio could make him an attractive choice for Day.
Neal Brown: Brown, who was West Virginia’s head coach from 2019-2024, could also be a candidate. He previously served as offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and Kentucky, and while he doesn’t have deep ties to Day, his background could make him a fit for the Buckeyes.
Joe Moorhead: Moorhead, the current head coach at Akron, is a former offensive coordinator at Penn State and Mississippi State. His experience could make him a viable option, though his recent struggles at Akron might work against him.
Tommy Rees: Currently the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Rees, 32, has a background as both a player and coach at Notre Dame and Alabama. After serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2023, Rees could be another name to watch, though his NFL commitments could complicate a potential move to Ohio State.
As Day navigates this pivotal hire, Ohio State fans and the broader college football world will be watching closely.
The decision will shape the future of the Buckeyes’ offense, and with a talented roster poised to compete for championships in the coming years, Day’s choice will have lasting implications.
Will he promote from within (Hartline?), or will he look outside the program for fresh ideas (Brown?)
Of course, only time will tell, but this search promises to be one of the most important coaching decisions of Day’s tenure at Ohio State.
Who do you think Day’s primary target should be?
Does losing BOTH Knowles and Kelly severely hurt Ohio State’s chances at repeating as national champs???
