Looks like the transfer portal feelings came early for Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite a solid 7-0 start, the Buckeyes are struggling to get some rest. This time, it’s not the fear of losing a player, but a coach who has established himself as one of the Ohio State football program’s most valuable coaches.  As this is, at the moment, one of the worst possible news stories in the Columbus camp, a Buckeye gave a glimpse of the fear quotient in Day’s squad. 

Day and Co. is almost on the verge of losing top assistant coach 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.” Boosters at Penn State are rumored to be enamored with Hartline. 

The Nittany Lions are currently programming without a head coach following the firing of James Franklin. They will be there at the Shoe this weekend for the November 1 face-off. And the Columbus camp is already trembling with fear. “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 the Juck on Bucks. It’s just that Day and Co. just do not want Hartline to step out.

At just 38, Hartline has cemented his place among college football’s elite assistants. 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. 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 the 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. 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.

So, maybe it becomes easier for him to put himself in the wide receivers’ shoes. Day and Co. now stands at a sensitive spot since he has taken Jeremiah Smith under his wing, who is a future first-round NFL Draft pick and quarterback, and Julian Sayin, who is running the Heisman race. What’s behind Penn State’s sudden push to land Hartline?

Brian Hartline’s buzz revved up with Penn State’s targets going off the table

For so long, the Nittany Lions had their eyes on replacing a 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 game. The Ohio State star sits No. 8 in the 247Sports national rankings this cycle, climbed as high as No. 6 last year, and took home Recruiter of the Year honors in 2020.

He 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 2026 mix. Can Ryan Day put a lock on the door to stop Hartline from leaving?