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Knowing when to dial up a quarterback draw or slant pass to the tight end is easier than hitting a 80-mph curveball or 95-mph fastball, but similar to reading major-league pitching, the best college football offensive coordinators have an innate ability to make the right call at the right time.
They are born, not made. That does not mean a play caller who lacks an instinctual gift is doomed to fail. With enough experience, improvement is both possible and probable. But just as the best quarterbacks process information quickly, the best play callers come by their decision-making naturally. And you can’t teach that.
Was Brian Hartline born to do it? It will be fascinating, and for Ohio State fans perhaps a bit unsettling, to watch how things play out. Ryan Day has tabbed Hartline to call plays in 2025, following the exit of Chip Kelly, who left the Buckeyes in February to cash fat checks and call the offense for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hartline, 38, is getting his first crack at designing a game plan and running point. Day named him offensive coordinator two years ago, but still called the plays in 2023. When he gave up play-calling duties last season, Kelly came aboard to handle that important responsibility. Day always will be available to support Hartline, and new offensive line coach/run game coordinator Tyler Bowen will have input as part of what should be a collaborative effort. But make no mistake, this is Hartline’s show. It’s time to sink or swim.
Brian Hartline will work himself to bone to succeed as play caller
A tireless worker with a teachable attitude, the positive spin is the Buckeyes will be just fine with Hartline. He may tread water for a bit, but eventually he will master his craft. And he has so much talent on offense that the former OSU receiver would have to bomb for the offense to screech to a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/brian-hartline-gifted-enough-match-100711408.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2025-03-11 10:07:00
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