Ohio State Assistant Coach Named Candidate For Michigan State Job
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 29:Passing game coordinator Brian Hartline of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Michigan State has suspended head coach Mel Tucker without pay amid a Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual harassment.
The investigation could mean that Tucker may lose his job, which in turn means that the program could be in search of its next head coach.
There are many candidates around the country for a prominent job in the Big Ten, but one Ohio State assistant is drawing a lot of attention for his success in recent seasons.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is among possible candidates for the head coaching job at Michigan State according to On3's Andy Staples.
Staples says that Hartline has done well as a recruiter.
Prior to taking the offensive coordinator position this season, Hartline worked as the Buckeyes' wide receivers coach.
He's been responsible for the development of current NFL stars like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, as well as players like Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Hartline has no previous experience as a head coach, but given the success of coaches like Deion Sanders, that's clearly not a prerequisite for the position.
After making such a significant commitment to Tucker, Michigan State could look to go in a completely different direction with their next head coach. Hartline would be an example of taking a big swing for a relatively unproven coach with a lot of upside.
