Ohio State’s offseason has been packed with action, with significant changes taking place in just two weeks. Despite the excitement from their national championship victory, the program has kept its focus on strengthening the team. Coaching positions have been filled on both sides of the ball, with several staff members being poached by NFL and college programs, a sign of success for Ohio State.
On Wednesday, the Buckeyes made major announcements about their offensive coaching staff. Brian Hartline was promoted to offensive coordinator, Tyler Bowen from Virginia Tech was hired to coach the offensive line, and Billy Fessler was elevated to full-time quarterback coach. With defensive coordinator still vacant, head coach Ryan Day has been busy, but these moves show that in-house candidates have earned these well-deserved roles.
In addition to coaching updates, Ohio State is making waves in recruiting. On Wednesday, they extended a 2026 offer to Damari Simeon, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman from New Jersey. Simeon already holds offers from top schools like Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, and USC. Though unranked at the moment, his growing offer list speaks volumes about his potential. Ohio State is looking to get him on campus for a visit in the coming months, which would further solidify their place as a serious contender in his recruitment.
Brian Hartline’s promotion to offensive coordinator is already paying off in recruiting. Known as Ohio State’s top recruiter, Hartline’s ability to land elite receivers has been a major factor in the team’s offensive success. While some fans may have hoped for a high-profile national hire, Hartline’s promotion, along with Bowen’s addition to strengthen the run game, should keep Ohio State in a strong position. Recruiting support for Hartline’s new role has already been vocal, including from top 2026 recruit Chris Henry Jr., who expressed that he will remain committed to Ohio State as long as Hartline is coaching. This news helps ease concerns about losing Henry Jr. to rival programs.
In other recruiting updates, Ohio State will host four-star edge rusher Cam Brooks for an official visit in late June. Ranked as the 89th best player nationally and the 10th-best edge rusher in the 2026 class, Brooks’ decision to cancel a visit to Miami in favor of Ohio State makes this visit even more significant.
