Penn State’s coaching search has to be about more than a name. Athletic Director Pat Kraft needs a leader who can rebuild the program and grow with it. Brian Hartline checks every box. He is young, energetic, and connects with players and recruits in ways older coaches struggle to match. At a time when college football demands adaptability more than pedigree, Hartline represents the future.
The Right Move for Penn State’s Future
Why Hartline Fits Kraft’s Vision
Kraft understands where the sport is heading. NIL, fundraising, and recruiting now blend into one job description. Hartline has lived in that world. As Ohio State’s offensive coordinator and one of the top recruiters in the country, he became known for his ability to relate, not just sell. In today’s landscape, relatability might be the single most important skill a college coach can have. Players want to feel understood, not controlled. Hartline gets that, but he also knows where the connection ends and accountability begins. His approach blends trust with authority, which young athletes still need. That balance gives him a real edge in today’s game.
Players trust him. High school coaches welcome him. Donors respond to him. That mix matters more than ever. The modern college coach has to be part strategist, part marketer, and part relationship builder. Hartline already thrives in all three.
A Runway to Build the Right Way
Hartline’s age is not a weakness. It’s an advantage. As a first-time head coach, he would have time to build patiently. Penn State can afford to let him shape the culture rather than chase quick fixes.
More experienced names such as Mike Elko, Eli Drinkwitz, and Manny Diaz have all built successful programs in their own right. Elko has Texas A&M unbeaten and in the playoff mix. Drinkwitz and Diaz have each proven they can win and recruit at a high level. But that is also what James Franklin once offered. Hartline represents something different. He is not a retread from another stop. He is a builder with modern instincts, a coach whose strength lies in developing people as much as plays. His growth potential and staying power come from understanding how today’s players think and how today’s programs win.
A younger hire gives Kraft a longer runway to rebuild the roster and guide the program through its ongoing modernization. Penn State has already committed more than $700 million to upgrades at Beaver Stadium over the next two years. Pairing that investment with a coach who can grow alongside it makes sense. That kind of continuity is how Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, and Ohio State built sustained success. Each did it with a young head coach like Dabo Swinney, Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning, or Ryan Day. For Penn State, Hartline could be that kind of foundational leader.
And let us address the noise coming from Columbus. Ohio State fans love to say Hartline would never leave because he will “be the next head coach.” Says who. Day is only 46 and has shown no sign of stepping away. If that job ever opened, the first call would likely go to Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman before anyone else. There is only one Ohio State and only one head-coaching chair. Hartline already has a chance to build his own program at a top-tier school with full control and a contract worth tens of millions. He will not turn that down just to remain an assistant at his alma mater.
The Recruiting Edge
Recruiting is Hartline’s calling card. At Ohio State, he helped assemble some of the best wide receiver rooms in modern college football. He recruited and developed Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, both first-round NFL picks, while helping mold Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson into elite pros. The next wave, headlined by Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Chris Henry Jr., already reflects his reach and consistency. Few coaches in the country have proven they can stack that kind of talent year after year.
More important than the stars next to names, Hartline understands how to communicate. He meets recruits where they are, on social media, on campus, and in their communities. Plenty of coaches relate well, but Hartline does it on another level. His mix of authenticity and command builds belief. That is what makes him different.
Penn State’s brand already carries national weight. Under Hartline, it could regain its recruiting dominance in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. His energy on the trail could keep top prospects from drifting south or west.
The Modern Head Coach
Today’s head coach must navigate NIL deals, transfer portals, and constant public scrutiny. Hartline’s experience at Ohio State has given him a front-row seat to how elite programs handle those pressures. He understands how to balance authenticity with polish.
Relatability is the new currency. It drives recruiting success, donor confidence, and locker room stability. Hartline’s personality fits that reality perfectly. The current Ohio State coordinator represents a bridge between old-school football culture and a new generation that expects transparency and connection.
A Vision for Penn State’s Next Era
Kraft’s decision will define his tenure. Choosing Hartline would send a clear message. Penn State is ready to move forward, not backward. It would prove Penn State is ready to evolve from what Franklin built instead of repeating the same playbook. Hartline brings more than youth. He brings alignment with how college football now works. He has the recruiting network, the energy, and the emotional intelligence to rebuild a roster and re-engage a fan base.
Penn State does not need another coach who has already had his chance elsewhere. It needs someone hungry enough to build something lasting. Hartline is that coach.
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
