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Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline looks very different in 2025 than he did in 2024. The 38-year-old Buckeyes legend unveiled a full tattoo sleeve on his left arm at practice in Columbus.
It has been an expansive process over the last three months that was finally ready to debut right in time for spring ball.
Hartline, one of the greatest players in Ohio State history, played an integral part in getting the Buckeyes to the BCS National Championship during the 2007-08 college football season as a wide receiver. He also played an integral part in getting the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff national championship last season as the wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator at his alma mater.
This upcoming season will be his first as the solo offensive coordinator with Chip Kelly off to Las Vegas.
With a fresh start upon him and a national title ring on his finger, Hartline decided to make a rather large change to his appearance. His left arm now features a full sleeve of ink.
It appears as though the tattoo process began shortly after the national championship in January. Brian Hartline worked closely with the owner of Tattoo Kings and Cuts in Columbus, who did an arm sleeve for star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and also assisted numerous other players on the team.
They wrapped things up at the end of March.
Ohio State did not begin the spring practice period until March 17, so my guess is that Brian Hartline kept his sleeve a secret until it had fully healed. I have no doubt that his players went absolutely bonkers when he finally took off his long sleeve shirt and/or hoodie to show off the new ink.
Off the top of my head, I cannot think of another high-level college football coach who rocks a full tattoo sleeve. This is definitely a first for the offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
Hartline posted images from practice to Instagram over the weekend. It was a hard launch of his sleeve. However, he has yet to explain further about what they mean! You can interpret them in whatever way you like. That’s the fun part.