Ohio State OC Brian Hartline Calling Plays Is A Learning Opportunity

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has a lot of goals this spring.

Calling plays isn't one of them.

"I don't think it'd be fair to have goals because I haven't done it," Hartline said. "It'd be like my first time racing a car. I want to make it around the track without blowing up the car. You know, so that's just one day at a time. I always constantly evaluate. My brain doesn't stop, so that's constantly happening."

One of the best wide receiver coaches and positional recruiters in the country has had the headset on during spring practices, as head coach Ryan Day — who used to man play-calling duties — has been roaming around practices in more of a general manager role.

The North Canton, OH. native said calling plays in the spring is a learning opportunity like "when you go from stats 101 to stats 200."

Hartline said he hasn't worked much with other position groups this spring because Ohio State has "great coaches" and that his "home" is with the receiving corps.

That's not to say he's completely shut out from them, though, as he said he's been able to build new bonds with players on the offense. This has forced Hartline to have to balance his time a bit better now that he has a bigger responsibility as the offensive coordinator.

The former Buckeyes' wide receiver from 2005-08 said during spring practice one of their main goals is to get the players focused on being "great at situational football."

"I just want to get these guys ready for spring ball. I want to evaluate, you know, identify our top 22 to 30 players," Hartline said. "I want to come out of spring knowing, 'OK, these are the guys that are earning opportunities. Who are the guys that need to try to steal opportunities?' and let's go from there."

Hartline said the game day operations — like if he'll be on the field or in the press box, for example — will be figured out at a later date.

"We're going to call plays every day in practice and then go from there," Hartline said.

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