Ohio State announces coaching changes, sends out new offer on recruiting trail

The Buckeyes dished out their latest offer to a New Jersey defensive line target.

Ohio State’s offseason has seen no shortage of changes in just two weeks time. With coaching moves on both sides of the ball, there has been virtually zero downtime to enjoy the national championship win, but that’s life in the big city. Ohio State’s staff has been poached by programs both at the NFL and the college level, and that typically means things have gone well.

With Wednesday providing major updates to the offensive coaching staff, the Buckeyes have promoted Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator, hired Virginia Tech’s offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen to coach the offensive line, and also promoted Billy Fessler to the full-time quarterback coach role.

Defensive coordinator being the last vacancy still to be determined, Ryan Day has been busy, and these latest hires are not only impressive, but deserved for the two in-house candidates. The work now really starts for these three in their new roles.

Buckeyes dish out offer to New Jersey native

Coaching hires taking majority of the attention and priority this week, Ohio State is still finding time to evaluate players from all over the country. On Wednesday, the Buckeyes sent out their latest offer in the 2026 class by way of New Jersey native, Damari Simeon.

Taking to his social media to share the latest update in his recruitment, Ohio State joins a lengthy list of programs who have already offered the 6-foot-3, 275 pound defensive line prospect. Schools such as Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, USC, and a host of others ranks as some of the bigger names to enter the mix, but Ohio State now in the fold furthers his case of being a top target.

Unranked currently via his 247Sports profile, the offer list alone goes to prove the caliber of player Simeon is. The goal now will be to have him on campus in the coming months when spring ball gets underway. A visit to come would mean the Buckeyes are very much in the picture, and Larry Johnson tends to do well on the East Coast when he goes after his guys.

Hartline’s promotion further helping the recruiting efforts

It would be an understatement to say Hartline is Ohio State’s top recruiter on the coaching staff. Winning at an all-time rate each and every cycle, it’s his receivers that many times are the top-ranked players in the recruiting class and much of the reason why this offense continues to click at the successful pace seen each season.

Hartline’s deserved promotion to offensive coordinator might be somewhat worrisome for some of the fanbase who wanted a top national hire, but combined with the new addition of Bowen who can help in the run game, the Buckeyes are going to be just fine. That said, while the on-field product is the most important aspect to this promotion, the recruiting wins should only continue as many top targets already gave their support of Hartline getting the nod.

One of the more important recruits of the future, the top player in Ohio State’s 2026 class gave a glowing review of his position coach now having coordinator responsibilities. The No. 5 player nationally and top receiver per the 247Sports Composite grades, Chris Henry Jr. has all of the outlets watching his every move — many times just for clicks — as the Buckeyes are always in the fight of their life to keep their top commits.

Following his recent visit to Oregon, there’s always some sort of talk that Ohio State could be losing their prized recruit to the Ducks or even Michigan by their homer-analysts. This latest news regarding Hartline, however, further helps Ohio State’s chances of hanging on to Henry Jr., as he himself has made it clear that he will be a Buckeye if Hartline will be in Columbus because the chance to be at Ohio State is, “too good to pass up”.

This promotion should further ease much of the worry of Henry Jr. ending up anywhere other than Ohio State.

Quick Hits

• Per On3, Ohio State will welcome four-star edge rusher Cam Brooks to campus later this summer when he makes an official visit in Columbus in late June. The No. 89 player nationally and 10th best edge rusher in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, any visit is a big one, but seeing Brooks cancel a trip to Miami in favor of spending time with Ohio State makes this recruitment update that much sweeter.