Ohio State offensive coordinator coach Brian Hartline was released from a Columbus-area hospital Monday following an all-terrain vehicle crash Sunday after he had been drinking, according to reports.
According to a Delaware County Sheriff’s Office report, obtained by two newspapers, Hartline told medics he had been drinking prior to the crash, which sent him and a passenger to Riverside Methodist Hospital.
Hartline, 36, crashed on his own property at around 1:20 a.m. His vehicle rolled over in the accident, and a second person not affiliated with Ohio State – later identified as Joshua Gaylor — was riding in the ATV with him.
An Ohio State spokesperson said Monday that Hartline had been released from the hospital and returned home.
A sheriff’s department spokesperson told the Columbus Dispatch that a field sobriety test was not given to Hartline because his injuries – sustained from being ejected – required getting him to the hospital. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Both the Dispatch and Cleveland.com said Hartline’s name was redacted from the police report, given that he’s an “uncharged suspect.” However, Hartline identified himself as the driver of the ATV in a social media post Sunday afternoon.
“I appreciate everyones support,” Hartline said in a social media post. “I crashed my side by side on my property and have been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. I am doing well.”
In the 911 call made by Hartline’s sister, Jaimie, she also told dispatchers that Hartline and Gaylor had been drinking.
The police report also documented a strong odor of alcohol in Hartline’s hospital room, per Cleveland.com.
Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye was identified as a witness in the sheriff’s report, but he was not involved in the actual accident.
Hartline, a former Buckeyes star receiver out of Canton, Ohio, was part of four Big Ten championship teams played in the 2006 and 2007 championship games. He went on to a seven-year NFL career, six with the Miami Dolphins (2009-14) and one year with the Cleveland Browns (2015).
He has been on the Buckeyes’ staff since 2017, serving as Ohio State wide receivers coach from 2018 to 2022 and taking on the role of passing game coordinator last season. In January, Hartline was promoted to offensive coordinator, taking over for Kevin Wilson, who became head coach at Tulsa.
–Field Level Media