The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a member of their offensive staff Monday when news broke that wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson would not be back with the team for the 2024 season. Jackson was with the Steelers for the past two seasons and his contract expired this past year.
This gives the Steelers a unique opportunity, as it was also rumored that the team has been interested in interviewing candidates to pair with new Offensive Coordinator, Artur Smith, for a potential passing game coordinator position on the staff.
A rising star in the college ranks who could fill both positions was name-dropped on X.com by Steelers insider Christopher Carter.
“This could be an interesting spot for the Steelers to find a young, different thinking mind to add to the staff, from college or otherwise. Someone like Brian Hartline at OSU, Ron Bellamy at Michigan, or a former Pitt guy in Brennan Marion at UNLV,” posted Carter.
Former NFL wide receiver, Brian Hartline has become quite the commodity at the college level. Following his playing career, Hartline joined the Ohio State University football staff in 2017 as a graduate assistant. After one season, Hartline became the interim wide receivers coach for the team. His impact was felt quickly. In 2019, Ohio State took away the interim tag to keep Hartline as their wide receivers coach.
Then in 2022, Hartline received yet another promotion when he was named passing game coordinator. Now, Hartline is listed as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Hartline, still just 37 years old, has climbed the ranks very quickly in his years of coaching experience. His coaching resume shows that it has been well deserved.
An Impressive Resume
In 2022, Hartline helped to end a 15-year stretch in which no Ohio State wide receiver was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Ohio State has had three receivers drafted in the first round in just the past two years; all of course were coached by Hartline. Not only were these players selected early, but they have excelled at the next level. This includes Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets, Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints, and Jaxson Smith Njiba of the Seattle Seahawks. They’ve all made huge impacts on their respective teams immediately upon joining their squads.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is widely expected to join them as a first-round pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Other receivers that have had success in the NFL after being coached by Hartline include Parris Campbell of the New York Giants and Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders.
Steelers’ Young Stars Can Be The “Sales Pitch”
With a resume such as Hartline’s, it seems like a no-brainer for the Steelers to at least make a call and see if Hartline would have any interest. It’s not like Hartline would be taking a position where he would not be stepping into a talented wide receiver room.
The dynamic duo of Diontae Johnson and George Pickens showed flashes of how great they could be in 2023. Pickens led the NFL with an average reception of 18.1 yards. Pickens had 63 catches overall for 1,140 yards and 5 touchdowns. Johnson had 51 receptions for 717 yards and 5 touchdowns in just 13 games played. Both of these young playmakers have undeniable talent, but can use a coach who has been there before like Hartline to reign in their large personalities.
The room also contains Calvin Austin III, who is as fast as they come, but has not put together an efficient season yet in his young career. They have veteran Allen Robinson II as well. The Steelers also seem like they will dive into the draft to find depth to round out their room and who else would know certain prospects better than someone who has been in the college game and seen some of the prospects up close?
Time For a Change?
Now a fair question would be, why would Hartline leave? He is continuing to excel almost yearly at one of the premier college football programs in the nation and has had nothing but success. It would be tougher to fathom if Hartline was not rumored to be looking at other jobs in the past.
In 2022, it was reported that Hartline interviewed for the head coach opening at the University of Cincinnati. While Hartline did not get the job and ended up staying at Ohio State, it should show the Steelers that Hartline could potentially leave for the right opportunity. If the Steelers can sell Hartline on the idea that he would have the chance to coach a very talented wide receiver core, while also having a large role on the offense as a passing game coordinator, watch out. This is the exact type of role that could push the Steelers offense over the hump and turn the team into a true contender in the AFC.
