COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Brian Hartline ran routes for the scout team at Ohio State in 2016 -- his first year out of football. When not on the field, Hartline was constantly giving pointers to his alma mater's wide receivers.
Head coach Urban Meyer noticed and soon offered Hartline a job. Hartline said no.
Several months later, Meyer again contacted Hartline, who had finished a six-year NFL career as a receiver with the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. Hartline wasn't doing much. He lived in town. He liked sports media and did some radio and television, but soon found himself leaning into the criticism too much.