NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Football, James Franklin

Pat Kraft Backs Up “Big Swing” Talk With Penn State Targeting Elite B1G Recruiter, Reports Say

Robert ShieldsPenn State Coaching Search, Penn State Football

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft’s national search for the next head coach for the Nittany Lions football program is now in week three.

As reported when the position opened, Kraft has indeed swung big, looking for Penn State’s next coach.

According to multiple reports, Pat Kraft has targeted Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline as a candidate for the head coaching position.

What Brian Hartline would bring to Penn State

Penn State Football
Brian Hartline might have the pedigree and recruiting connections to lead Penn State to a National Championship level. (Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch)

While Ohio State’s Brian Hartline does not have head coaching experience, Hartline is one of the best recruiters in the country, filling Ohio State’s receiver room with elite talent year-in and year-out.

Hartline has been one of Ohio State’s most trusted coaches on the offensive side of the ball for years in Columbus and took over as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator this season.

This season under Hartline, Ohio State’s offense is averaging 36.4 points per game and 6.91 yards per play (16th nationally).

 

Penn State Could Add a Rising Star

At only 38 years old, Hartline is a coach on the rise in the profession with a high ceiling to grow into as a head coach.

During his time with the Buckeyes, Hartline has produced four first-round picks as wide receivers and has been the top recruiter and developer of receivers in the nation.

Earlier in cycle, Lions247’s Tyler Donahue reported that Hartline’s name had come up “in discussions with national-level industry sources and with local people who have a solid sense for this process.”

According to online betting site Kalshi, Hartline’s odds to become Penn State’s next head coach have spiked since Saturday.

On Saturday, Kalshi had Hartline at a 6.2 percent chance to become Penn State’s next head coach. As of Monday afternoon, Hartline’s odds have spiked to 28 percent, behind only Nebraska’s Matt Rhule (41 percent).

Robert Shields
Latest posts by Robert Shields (see all)

Author

  • Robert Shields

    Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.

Scroll to top