Ohio State is once again hunting for a new offensive coordinator. For the second straight offseason, Ryan Day finds himself needing to fill a critical role, this time after Brian Hartline departed to become the head coach at USF. While Hartline will remain with the Buckeyes through their College Football Playoff run, the search for his successor is already underway.
Hartline’s exit has also created turbulence on the recruiting trail, particularly with Ohio State’s 2026 wide receiver class. Regardless of how the cycle shakes out, the Buckeyes will need a fresh offensive voice by the time the 2026 season arrives. Here are five realistic candidates to take over one of the most attractive coordinator jobs in college football.
Chip Kelly: Former Ohio State OC / Former Raiders OC
Yes, the same Chip Kelly who left Ohio State just a season ago could find himself right back in Columbus.
Kelly led the Buckeyes to a national championship, an 89.1 Offensive Impact Grade (PFSN), the No. 1 mark in the country, and a 14–2 record during his lone season running the offense. With the Raiders having recently released him, Kelly is now available and familiar with the roster, staff, and system.
This is the most seamless and arguably safest hire Ohio State could make. Kelly already proved he can elevate Ryan Day’s vision to championship heights, and his return would immediately stabilize the program both schematically and on the recruiting trail.
Keenan Bailey: Ohio State Tight Ends Coach
If Ryan Day wants continuity and cultural alignment, Keenan Bailey is the obvious internal promotion. Bailey has been with the program since 2019, Day’s first season as head coach, and has spent the last three years coaching tight ends.
He is well-respected by players, admired inside the building, and has been groomed as a future leader on the offensive staff.
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This would mirror Hartline’s own rise, starting as a position coach heavily tied to the offensive skill unit before eventually ascending to OC. If Day believes in maintaining Ohio State’s identity rather than importing a new one, Bailey could be the next man up.
Brian Daboll: Former Giants HC / Former Bills OC
This would be the splashiest and most ambitious hire. Brian Daboll’s résumé speaks for itself: he helped develop Josh Allen into an MVP-caliber quarterback, coordinated a dynamic offense in Buffalo, and has long been considered one of the sharpest offensive minds in football.
Bringing Daboll to Columbus would echo Ohio State’s hiring of Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator, another big-name former NFL coach whose schematic acumen translates exceptionally well to the college game.
Even though Daboll struggled as an NFL head coach, his track record as a world-class play designer and developer of quarterbacks makes him a potential home run. His presence alone could provide a massive recruiting surge.
Andy Kotelnicki: Penn State OC
This would be a bold move with some poetic symmetry. Andy Kotelnicki’s future at Penn State is uncertain following the firing of James Franklin. Although new head coach Matt Campbell may retain him, there’s no guarantee, and Ohio State may not wait to find out.
Kotelnicki is a creative offensive mind who helped build explosive attacks at Kansas before moving to Penn State. He consistently finds ways to maximize his playmakers, showcased by a two-headed rushing attack featuring Kaytron Allen (89.9 RB Impact Grade) and Nicholas Singleton (76.6).
His strong run-game identity could appeal to Ryan Day, especially with young star Bo Jackson poised to take another step forward in Columbus. And after Penn State poached OSU DC Jim Knowles a season ago, the Buckeyes snagging Kotelnicki would be a fitting reversal of fortune. If Ohio State wants innovation without a full schematic overhaul, Kotelnicki stands out.
Jerry Neuheisel: UCLA Interim OC
Few coaches elevated their stock more this season than Jerry Neuheisel.
A former UCLA quarterback (2012–15) and longtime assistant, Neuheisel stepped in as interim offensive coordinator in 2025 and immediately delivered. His Bruins earned marquee wins over Penn State, Michigan State, and Maryland, showcasing balance, creativity, and poise under pressure.
With UCLA having a 78.9 (44th in the nation) PFSN Offensive Impact Grade, he wasn’t the reason the Bruins ended up with a 3-9 record.
With UCLA undergoing a coaching transition, Neuheisel may become available, and Ryan Day could see him as an ascending young offensive mind with long-term upside. His first chance at elevated responsibility went extremely well, and he may just be scratching the surface.
