Following the departure of Chip Kelly to the NFL, Ohio State promoted wide receivers coach Brian Hartline to the role of offensive coordinator on Wednesday afternoon.
Fresh off of a national championship, Hartline could be looking at taking over the role of play-caller for the first time despite his first promotion to offensive coordinator two years ago.
Hartline has been arguably the single-best position coach in the entire sport since taking over the room in 2018. He has developed NFL receivers like Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. — while also recruiting players like Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith.
Also recruited by Hartline but yet to hit the field are 2025 five-star wideout Quincy Porter and the No. 1 overall receiver in the 2026 class, Chris Henry Jr.
Henry, the son of the late former NFL wide receiver Chris Henry, has been committed to Ohio State since July 2023. Although he has continued to take visits and was spotted wearing Oregon gear on Wednesday, Henry remains locked in with the Scarlet and Gray.
He also had high praise for Ohio State’s promotion of Hartline to coordinator.
“I love this move,” Henry told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “Coach Hartline knows how to develop receivers better than anyone, and now with him as OC I know he’s going to put us receivers in the best position to dominate for sure.”
Chris Henry Jr. Recruit Profile
Henry is the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is the No. 1 WR in the class and the top-ranked recruit from the state of California.
On3’s scouting and rankings team has previously written this about him as a prospect.
“Big receiver with a rare combination of size, athleticism and coordination as a young prospect. Measured in at over 6-foot-4.5 and around 185 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Tests as a strong athlete, posting an electronically-timed 4.65 second 40 yard dash at Under Armour’s Ohio Camp. Flashes outstanding functional movement skills at his size, with the ability to sink his hips and change direction with ease. Projects as a high level route runner as he continues to progress. Not overly long for his height, but flashes good ball skills and catch radius. Has strong pedigree as the son of the late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry. Projects as one of the top receivers early on in the 2026 cycle.
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