By Andrew McCartyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberOhio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith previously revealed his decision to commit to the program was thanks to the development of the star wide receivers before him.
“I mean, it was a no-brainer for me,” Smith said in an interview with Sports Illustrated when asked about why he committed to the Buckeyes. “Seeing the success that they’ve had at the receiver position in recent years. Guys like Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, guys in the past like Cris Carter. It definitely was a day one thought of mine, coming to Ohio State to be one of them guys.”
The man behind their success, Brian Hartline, received glowing acclaim from Smith.
More Football: NFL Reaches Punishment Decision After Patrick Mahomes Incident vs Colts
...More College Football: Lane Kiffin’s Immediate Ole Miss Replacement Revealed
“Coach Hartline is a special, special coach in my eyes,” Smith said of Hartline. “He develops first-round talent year in and year out. He pushes us each and every day to be the best version of ourselves. Coach is somebody I want[ed] to be coached by in college. He just has everything that you wanna learn at the college level and he’s gonna teach you things about the pros as well ... Coach Hartline does a good job with us each and every day, can’t thank him enough for that.”
Fast forward to Dec. 3, 2025 and the working relationship between Smith and Hartline is set to end. The Ohio State offensive coordinator is expected to accept the South Florida job after the College Football Playoff this season.
After learning of the news, Smith took to social media. "Love coach," he said accompanying a photo of the two during an Ohio State practice.
Loading twitter content...
Ohio State faces off against Indiana in the Big Ten title game on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET.
More Football: Lane Kiffin’s Daughter Has Message for ‘Angry’ Ole Miss Fans
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NCAAFlorida Gators’ Jon Sumrall Makes Heartwarming Tim Tebow Admission3 min read
NCAAOhio State Receives Brutal News Before Showdown With Indiana3 min read
NCAADan Lanning, Oregon Land Intriguing CFP Outlook Amid ‘Distraction’2 min read
NCAAPenn State Could Make Stunning Push for Legendary Coach3 min read
NCAALSU, Lane Kiffin Poaching Key Member of Ole Miss’ Remaining Staff2 min read
NCAAUrban Meyer Urges NCAA to Make Massive Change to College Football3 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsExclusive: Democrat Targets Trump’s $175B Immigration Funds for Housing7 min read
For MembersNewsUncommon Knowledge: Will Trump Accounts Pay Off?6 min read
NewsMatt Van Epps Retains GOP Seat Over Aftyn Behn Despite Democrat Gains4 min read
PoliticsDemocrat Says Trump Admin’s ‘Absurd’ Actions Will Help ICE Bill Succeed6 min read
OpinionHas President Trump Ushered in an Era of Peace in the Middle East? Newsweek Contributors Debate6 min read
U.S.Exclusive: Melania Trump’s Immigration Lawyer Responds to New Citizenship Bill5 min readTrending
WeatherList of Schools Closed Tuesday as Snowstorm Hits4 min read
TennesseeTennessee Special Election: Behn Teases Another Run After Losing to Van Epps2 min read
Winter StormWinter Storm Warning As 12 Inches of Snow To Hit: ‘Delay All Travel’3 min read
ViralCat Arrives at Vet for Neuter, Staff Not Ready for What’s in the Carrier3 min read
CitizenshipCitizenship Requirements to Change For Millions of Americans Under New Bill4 min readOpinion
OpinionLebanon 2.0—Shepherding the Path to Peace | Opinion4 min read
OpinionThe Cost of Detaining Immigrants Working Legally | Opinion5 min read
OpinionProsecuting Congress for Stating the Law: An Impeachable Offense | Opinion4 min read
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Trump Pardons Former Honduran President3 min read
OpinionRand Paul: My Proposal Will Improve Health Care and Lower Costs | Opinion4 min read
