In the two days since Penn State fired James Franklin, there has been no shortage of names linked to the job. A program that has proved that money is no problem, their choices seem endless.
One writer went outside the box with a list of names that Penn State “Will” and “Should” target. Adam Bittner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft should go out of the box and target a conference rival’s offensive coordinator.
Penn State Should Target Ohio State OC Brian Hartline
Bittner thinks Kraft should look long and hard at one of the Nittany Lions‘ Big Ten rivals. Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline should be a target.
“What has Penn State’s biggest problem of the late Franklin period been? Wide receiver play. Who’s responsible for some of the most consistently dynamic receiver play we have possibly ever seen in the sport? This guy,’’ Bittner wrote.
Ohio State has become a factory in terms of producing NFL wide receivers. Hartline has been at the center of the development of some of the best wide receivers in the NFL to come out of college.
“Since taking over as the position coach for his alma mater in 2018, he’s mentored huge names including Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith. He’s seen what it takes to win national championships up close, having co-masterminded the Buckeyes’ title-winning offense a year ago. And he’s been a key part of a staff that has consistently kicked Penn State’s tails on the recruiting trail,’’ Bittner wrote.
That is a talented list of players who have had success in Columbus under Hartline. Bittner is also correct when he mentioned the recruiting heater’s that the Buckeyes have been on over the Nittany Lions at the position.
Would Brian Hartline Consider Leaving for Penn State?
Hartline has a connection at Ohio State that would not be easy to leave. Not only has he had success as a coach and won a National Championship, but he was a great player there, too.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, Hartline played seven seasons, six with Miami and one with the Cleveland Browns. He finished with 4,765 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns. It has been his development with receivers in Columbus that have opened a lot of eyes. The question will be, can Kraft offer enough to pry him away from Ryan Day?
“It’s a package that will be hard for anyone to compete with — but only if he’s willing to leave Columbus. An open question given his bright-scarlet ties there,’’ Bittner wrote.
Money is not a problem for Kraft and Penn State. They are likely looking for a head coach with a lot of head coaching experience. It makes sense that they should make a call to Hartline. Hiring him takes away a valuable assistant from a conference rival.
Top names such as Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, Duke’s Manny Diaz, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz will continue to be names to watch, but Hartline would be an intriguing option.
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