The Ohio State Buckeyes are just a few weeks away from continuing their quest toward a national title repeat.
In the days leading up to the Buckeyes' eventual 13-10 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, however, offensive coordinator Brian Hartline accepted the then-vacant head-coaching role at the University of South Florida. Hartline intends to stay under coach Ryan Day's direction for the postseason, but new comments from Hartline may be met with skepticism.
It appears Hartline is one foot out of Columbus, while having one foot in at USF despite not settling in fully.
"It's all for discussion. I want to make sure the staff is right first and what that has to take," Hartline told reporters Monday about his role at USF. "Obviously, I will be heavily involved in the offensive game plan, scheme, and week-to-week conversation. But I'm not saying no or yes to anything at this point."
Day clarified that, until their formal relationship ends, Hartline will call plays for the Buckeyes' offense. Day confirmed that Hartline was indeed the play-caller this past Saturday.
"Brian was calling it, but we're all involved, all of us," Day told reporters. "We try to give as much input as we can, try to organize the thoughts and try to help the best we can...But Brian calls the plays and will continue to call the plays, but we're gonna have everybody involved with it, and it's a group effort."
So, a non-definitive yes, or no answer to leads to more questions as the CFP looms.
But, for now, Hartline seems to remain status quo.
“I would say I didn't take the decision lightly, but I was also very excited,” Hartline said Monday. “My wife is from Columbus, my in-laws are there, her parents are there … it's important. I have three kids, eight, six, and three, and so they're leaving their grandparents. We had to be at the right spot, adamantly, for us to leave, and that was frankly a choice well worth making at that point.”
It seems Hartline doesn't hold a grudge either, making it imperative that he focuses on Ohio State's game-planning through the end of the season.
But, of course, a lot can change in just under a month. So only time will tell.