BRIAN HARTLINE IS BECOMING THE SUPER ASSISTANT THAT RYAN DAY NEEDS ENTERING THIS SEASON
Well, no matter what they may say, the head coach cannot do it all.
In the entire history of college football, the best head coaches have always needed great assistants by their side throughout championship runs. Just look no further than Urban Meyer. During his time at Florida, his championship teams were anchored by Dan Mullen and Charlie Strong. When Meyer arrived at Ohio State, Luke Fickell and Tom Herman helped the Buckeyes win the 2014 championship.
Looking ahead to Ryan Day's tenure at Ohio State, he needs elite assistants as well. He poached Greg Mattison from Michigan. Mattison has a great track record that included serving under Meyer at Florida for the 2006 championship team. Day also nabbed Jeff Hafley, who is regarded in the industry as an up-and-comer that may not be in Columbus for too long. Larry Johnson is one of the best at his craft, as well.
Losing Zach Smith a year ago due to the circumstances which have been discussed at length over and over and don't need to be said again led to the promotion of Brian Hartline from a quality control role to an on-the-field full-time wide receivers coach and it was a move that has led to spectacular things already.
Let's start in the recruiting room. Hartline has landed elite prospects already. The Buckeyes were able to sign five-star Garrett Wilson in the 2019 class, and landed five-star Julian Fleming yesterday, to go along with a smattering of four-stars and other elite prospects.
In Taylor's piece* yesterday, he discussed the impact Hartline had on Fleming coming to Ohio State.
Fleming’s commitment was a Brian Hartline achievement. The Pennsylvania wideout developed a relationship with Hartline since November, and after that visit, the relationship crescendoed through March, when he was in Columbus for the Student Appreciation Day visit, and into an early ending to his recruitment Friday. Hartline made it happen.
Even after landing a five-star, Hartline hasn't stopped. He was in St. Louis yesterday to see four-star Mookie Cooper, a slot guy who Ohio State has ramped up its pursuit of recently. After landing St. Louis wide receivers in back-to-back classes (Kamryn Babb in 2018 and Jameson Williams in 2019), you have to figure there is a good shot to land Cooper, as well.
Entire article:
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...tant-that-ryan-day-needs-entering-this-season
*
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...t-means-for-ohio-states-2020-recruiting-class