Pat Fitzgerald Fired, Buckeyes OC Brian Hartline A Candidate At Northwestern?

With Pat Fitzgerald out at Northwestern, expect to hear Brian Hartline's name linked to the Wildcats' opening.

Of course his name is going to be mentioned. Would you be shocked if it wasn't? 

Northwestern needs a new head coach following the firing of Pat Fitzgerald Monday amid allegations of widespread hazing within the football program. A program builder and a Wildcat icon, Fitzgerald's tenure in the only place he's called home ends on a complex and deteriorating note. 

Fitzgerald, who closes his tenure as the program's all-time winningest coach, embodied passion. He exuded grit, determination, and a willingness to always go above and beyond. Ninety-six hours ago when Fitzgerald was initally suspended for two weeks, one would assume a statue and commencement speech outside Ryan Field on the day he decided to call it a career would be enshrined in his honor. 

All a facade in front of the cameras. As found in the reporting of The Daily Northwestern, a dark cloud cascaded the program behind closed doors inside the locker room where heinous acts would occur. 

For now, the program resides in the hands of defensive coordinator David Braun. He could be named the interim coach for the entirety of the 2023 season. The university faces far more troubling issues ahead than which up-and-coming coach could be the next in line to bring Chicago's Big Ten team back to glory in a new era of football. 

Among the contenders, Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline will surely be linked as a candidate. 

That is, if he's even interested in picking up the phone. 

No, this isn't to say Hartline's time in Columbus is coming to an end. The former pass-game coordinator was recently promoted to replace the departed Kevin Wilson as the new czar of the offense. He's yet to call a play under Ryan Day, and still has plenty of boxes to check before proving to athletic directors and boosters that he's ready to lead a program. 

That's at least on the football field. As a recruiter, Hartline's been at the forefront of building top-ranked classes since being promoted to full-time staff in 2018. As a talent developer, the list of Pro Bowl pass-catchers who honed in their craft knows no bounds. 

Need a resume? Look up Terry McLaurin and Parris Campbell as instances of greatness. Want references? Dial the numbers of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and see if they think Hartline is qualified. 

Wait a year? No problem. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are future first-round targets destined to become a quarterback's best friend. Wait too long and watch other programs enter a bidding war to land the services of one of the more sought-after minds in football. 

Then again, Hartline has to want it. He also has a hand in this decision. 

Cincinnati was linked to the 36-year-old Ohioan after Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin. Hartline ended the rumors, stating on Twitter he was planning on staying in Columbus. 

That's the Big 12, though. This is the Big Ten. This is a conference that just inked a $7 billion media rights contract to put a compelling product out on Saturdays and needs the best of the bench leading the charge. 

And it's Northwestern, the Ivy League of the Midwest. If you can win there, you can win anywhere. The program needs a leader of men first, indoctrinated on character over charisma. The Wildcats need a leader of the pack. 

Is that leader Hartline? 

It's too soon to speculate if Hartline fits what Northwestern is looking for, so rest easy knowing the mastermind of pristine route-running isn't leaving Ohio yet. Northwestern might wait to rid itself of all those linked to the scandal, thus leading to a hiring process of other prominent positions first, putting football near the bottom of to-do actions. 

The program could also look for proven experience. A name who has handled the daily trials of dealing with dilemmas while working to build the program's persona in a more prominent light. There's names out there looking for a second chance. 

But of course, Hartline's name was going to be mentioned for the opening. Take a look on Twitter and see the level of support for him to be one of — if not the only — candidate to replace Fitzgerald.  

There's always a middle ground in life, however. Both sides need to be on the same page. Hartline's timeline might be with his heart in Columbus. His path to the next chapter in his career could be years away, even if Northwestern thinks he's more than ready for a new challenge. 

For now, Hartline remains at Ohio State. 

He won't forever, even if Northwestern isn't the program to make him an offer he can't refuse. 

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