Brian Hartline might want to be careful after his latest comment could end up being a written check he can't cash

Brian Hartline might want to be careful after his latest comment could end up being a written check he can't cash

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Brian Hartline might want to be careful after his latest comment could end up being a written check he can't cash
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14.
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Ohio State lost 24-14. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Brian Hartline is heading into his first season as a head coach at South Florida. The former Ohio State assistant coach might want to be careful with his latest comment.

The biggest offseason hurdle the Ohio State Buckeyes were handed was the departure of former offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. 

Ohio State brought in Arthur Smith from the NFL to take over offensive play-calling duties. The Buckeyes hired former LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton to coach up the wide receivers.   

Replacing Hartline isn't going to be easy and the Buckeyes will certainly miss him in some ways. The former Ohio State assistant is trying to bring South Florida to College Football Playoff relevancy now that he's out of Columbus. 

Brian Hartline's recent comment could be a bit of shade at Auburn HC Alex Golesh 

"There was some success here the last couple of years, but nowhere near where it should be," Hartline said via On3 recently. "The expectation should be to win – the floor here should be a constant chase for the American Conference championship."

There's nothing wrong with going into a job and having full confidence in what's set to be accomplished. However, Hartline's comments could come off as a knock to Golesh, who did a fine job at South Florida. The Bulls won four games in the previous three seasons before Golesh arrived, including two one-win seasons. 

Golesh leveled up South Florida with back-to-back seven-win seasons before recording nine wins last season. Without the job the former Ohio State assistant did at South Florida, he wouldn't now be leading the Auburn program. 

This is Hartline's first job and he's clearly trying to win over as much of the South Florida fanbase as he can before any actual football is played. Hartline went on to be pretty firm with what he sees for South Florida in the future.   

"We understand it's a process, and it doesn't happen overnight, but it's going to be all gas, no brakes," Hartline said. "Tampa is the No. 1 media market in Florida and the 11th in the U.S., and this region loves sports – there's a huge opportunity to maximize competitiveness here. The stadium coming will help bring people to campus.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Brian Hartline might want to be careful after his latest comment could end up being a written check he can't cash

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