He has captured Big Ten Conference titles and competed for national championships, both as a wide receiver and assistant coach. He has played in iconic college-football venues and set receiving records in the National Football League. He has become a mentor, a strategist, an ace recruiter and a pass-catching guru of sorts, helping to train and develop five receivers picked in the NFL draft's first round during a three-season span.
And now for something completely different in the charmed football life of Brian Hartline.
He's sitting in the Big Chair.
He's a first-time head coach, fulfilling his predicted destiny with the USF Bulls. It's the perfect spot. A man on the move has joined a program on the rise.
There's no instruction manual for such a jump, but Hartline said he feels confident and prepared.
The best advice he has received from veteran head coaches? Be recklessly yourself — always. Make sure it's done your way.
"Never try to be somebody else or someone you're not,'' said Hartline, the former Ohio State University offensive coordinator, on the eve of conducting his first sessions of spring football. "I'm a pretty self-aware guy. I'm always self-assessing myself and grading myself on how bad or good (it is). I did that as a player and (assistant) coach. Those qualities serve you well when you want to chase greatness.
"I'm very, very optimistic about the staff we have assembled here and the trajectory we are on at USF. I was always told to surround myself with people you trust. Ultimately, when you walk out of that room, they (assistant coaches) will be the ones echoing your message and vision. I've asked for trust and loyalty from the jump. But I also feel like it's my responsibility to enhance that, growing our relationships where the loyalty and trust is second to none.''
By all accounts, Hartline has done just that.
"I love Coach Hartline's grit, his work ethic and his authenticity,'' said Rob Higgins, USF's CEO of athletics. "He's as real as it gets. We knew that from the moment that we met him and every time we interacted with him (during the interview and hiring process). He's so genuine. The strategy, intentionality, energy and urgency he brought to the table when putting together an incredible staff, then working around the clock on the transfer portal, it has been phenomenal to witness. I believe he's off to an incredible start.''
Bulls offensive coordinator Tim Beck, most recently the head coach at Coastal Carolina University for three seasons, said Hartline is well-equipped for first-year challenges.
"Everything you do is scrutinized and talked about, so that's different than the assistant coaching role, but the biggest thing is you're in charge of everything,'' Beck said. "You sign off on the plans for flying (to road games). You oversee the nutrition, the strength and conditioning, the training, literally everything that goes into your program. Then you add in the new wrinkles of NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal. It's an awful lot for anyone.
"Brian Hartline is full of energy, passion and love. He loves doing this. He loves football. He loves being around these young people. He understands players. He recruits and develops, getting a lot out of these guys. When you've got his kind of plan and vision, when you have that knack and ability, when you approach it with an incredible level of dedication and caring about people, you're ready for the job.''
For the last few weeks, Hartline has been immersed in winter conditioning — assessing the body weights, plus the measurable numbers in bench-press, squat, agility and vertical — while working alongside head strength and conditioning coach Antonio Turner.
"A job well-done, so far,'' Hartline said. "The numbers are excellent. There's so much improvement and tremendous personal growth. We're building a team and establishing the kind of culture we want around here.''
And what is that culture exactly?
"Our culture is set,'' Hartline said. "We want to be the best in the country. Both on and off the field, there is no tolerance for lack of effort. We don't coach effort. We can encourage and inspire. But showing effort is a necessity, a must. The expectations have been set, and they will not be lowered.
"From an accountability and results standpoint, we want to be the best in the country at what we do. That goes for players and coaches, along with the equipment staff, the training room, the trainers and the strength staff. We want the same mentality permeating through the building. From there, it comes down to production and translating that to the field. We're slowly climbing that mountain.''
Throughout USF's program, coaches and support staff alike have been impressed by Hartline's approach. He has taken the best from his Ohio State influences — the consistency and humanity of Jim Tressel, the urgency and high standards of Urban Meyer, the football savvy of Ryan Day — and made them his own.
"I think the best people in any profession are consistent and Brian Hartline is extremely consistent,'' USF defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge said. "He has a belief system. He's very detailed. And he has a great plan for our young men and our staff.''
"It starts with (the type of) human being he is, honestly,'' said USF executive director of player personnel Carter Wilson, who oversees player acquisition and roster construction. "The tone of the entire building is set by the head guy, wherever you're at. It starts with having a good person, a good human being who is driven to win and driven to be the best version of himself. Everyone models that. We're in a competitive, edgy business, but when everyone in the building reflects that same feeling, you're going to have (success).''
Ironically, Hartline never envisioned a career path in coaching. He was talked into helping out by Meyer. He worked for what he thought was a "trial spring.'' But he quickly found the calling and never looked back. The more Hartline coached, the more he realized there were rewards beyond the football field. He was influencing lives. That was the ultimate appeal.
"Football is hard,'' Hartline said. "It shapes people and allows you to separate yourself from your peers. There's just so much good in football itself. But it's not about stats. It's how you make someone feel. It's about the personal interactions, the relationships, seeing how these young guys mature and grow.
"In the end, for me, it was so much more than football. It was enhancing individuals. It was identifying guys who wanted to chase a path that I got to live, then helping them to achieve that. It became the holistic method of seeing the best version of individuals, both on and off the field. Don't get me wrong. I still love ball. But the opportunity to enhance individuals, communicating the truth to someone and getting the best out of them, that's what told me I needed to do this.''
The Big Chair awaits.
Already, Hartline said he feels at home.
"Being here (for nearly three months) has just reconfirmed everything I felt about taking this job,'' Hartline said. "The people at USF are very passionate about football, very hungry to win. The Tampa Bay community has been great.
"The players love to train and they love ball. We're forming a pretty good, tight team. There's a brotherhood being built. I'm more convinced, more now than ever, about the trajectory of this program and what we can accomplish here at USF. I'm excited and appreciative to get this head-coaching opportunity because I see nothing but greatness ahead.''
–#GoBulls–
