Brian Hartline

Brian Jack Hartline (born November 22, 1986) is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Ohio State. He played college football at Ohio State, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Cleveland Browns.

Early life

Hartline attended GlenOak High School in Plain Township, Ohio, where he both played football and ran track for four years. He began his football career as a quarterback, but in the fourth game of his sophomore year, he switched positions to wide receiver.

Hartline was also on the GlenOak track team, and he was the 2005 state champion in the 110 meter hurdles and the 300 meter hurdles.

College career

Hartline redshirted his freshman year, but played in all 13 contests in 2006. In 2007, Hartline played an integral part in getting the Buckeyes to the 2008 BCS National Championship Game, averaging 13.3 yards per reception with 52 catches for 694 yards. In 2008, his final season, Hartline averaged 22.8 yards per reception with 21 catches for 479 yards.

He graduated from Ohio State in June 2009 with a degree in communication, but elected to forgo his final season of eligibility to enter the 2009 NFL draft.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

Hartline was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft. On October 4, 2009, Hartline caught his first career touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Chad Henne. Hartline finished his rookie season with 31 receptions and 506 receiving yards with three touchdown receptions plus a rushing touchdown on a 16-yard play against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although he finished third on the team in receiving yards, Hartline led the team in receiving touchdowns.

After a solid rookie season in which he played in every game, in the 2010 season, Hartline played only 12 games, although despite this, he had a better season statistically, with 43 receptions for 615 yards and 1 touchdown. He also rushed for 27 yards on 2 carries.

After the release of Ted Ginn Jr. in the 2011 off season, Hartline cemented his place as a starter, starting in every game of the season. He recorded statistics of 549 yards from 35 receptions, thrown by Chad Henne at the start of the season, but after the former Michigan QB's injury, backup Matt Moore took over, leading to Henne's release in 2012.

Despite struggling with injuries and illnesses during the off-season and training camp, Hartline played in the 2012 season opener against the Houston Texans and became the team's number one receiver with Brandon Marshall's trade. In a Week 4 loss against the Arizona Cardinals, he broke the Dolphins franchise record for receiving yards in a game with 253. He called the record
"bittersweet" because his team lost the game. After that week 4 performance, Hartline led the NFL in receiving yards. Hartline eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, becoming the eighth receiver in Dolphins franchise history to accomplish the milestone.

During the offseason in 2013, Hartline stayed with the Dolphins, signing a 5-year, $31 million contract, with $12.5 million guaranteed.

Hartline suffered a torn PCL in the last regular season game against the New York Jets in 2013, which forced him to end his season. He led the team in receptions with 76, which is also a career-high, and finished his second consecutive year with over 1,000 receiving yards.

Cleveland Browns

Hartline signed with the Cleveland Browns on March 9, 2015. On May 23, 2016, Hartline was released by the Browns.

NFL career statistics

Coaching career

Hartline joined Ohio State's football team as a graduate assistant in 2017. Already on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant, Hartline was named interim WR coach for Ohio State for the 2018 season after the firing of Zach Smith. The position was made permanent in December 2018. In 2020, Hartline was named to the AFCA "35 Under 35" Leadership Institute which annually recognizes the future leaders in the football coaching profession.
In 2020, Hartline was named "National Recruiter of the Year" by 247Sports. On January 9, 2021, Hartline was promoted to passing game coordinator, on top of his title as wide receivers coach. In 2023, he was promoted to offensive coordinator. In 2024, Chip Kelly was named the offensive coordinator and Hartline was relegated to co-offensive coordinator. After winning the national championship that season, Kelly took the same position with the Las Vegas Raiders and Hartline was named Ohio State's offensive coordinator once again in 2025.

As a wide receivers coach, Hartline has cemented himself not only as a top recruiter, but an elite talent developer as well. He is lauded for his multiple National Football League draft first round picks such as Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Personal life

Hartline's younger brother, Mike Hartline, is a former quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, and is currently the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Charlotte 49ers of the American Athletic Conference. Hartline is married and has three children.

Hartline owns and operates two convenience stores with a partner in Columbus that he works at during the off-season.

On April 16, 2023, Hartline was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries due to an ATV accident.

References

External links

Ohio State coach profile
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hartline, Brian
1986 births
Living people
American football wide receivers
Cleveland Browns players
Miami Dolphins players
Ohio State Buckeyes football coaches
Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Coaches of American football from Ohio
Players of American football from Canton, Ohio