Ohio State hires ex-LSU assistant Cortez Hankton as WR coach to replace Brian Hartline
Ohio State hires ex-LSU assistant Cortez Hankton as WR coach to replace Brian Hartline
Ohio State is poised to employ Cortez Hankton as their new wide receivers coach, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. One’s Pete Nakos corroborated the report. He’s been LSU’s co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the past two years.
Hankton will succeed Brian Hartline, who accepted an offer to be USF’s next head coach. Hartline has been coaching Ohio State’s wide receivers since 2018. He coached standouts including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, and, most recently, Jeremiah Smith.
Cortez Hankton will now seek to continue Hartline’s success with wide receivers.
LSU rated No. 63 in the country in passing yards this season, but starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was injured for much of the season, and the school sacked head coach Brian Kelly during the season.
In 2024, LSU had the seventh-highest passing yards per game in collegiate football. For reference, Ohio State finished 29th that year.
Hankton has coached LSU wide receivers since 2022, after serving as co-offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons. In addition to teaching the wide receivers, he served as LSU’s pass game coordinator in 2022 and 2023, when Jayden Daniels was one of the most productive passers in the nation.
Hankton previously served as Georgia’s pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2018 to 2021. He formerly coached wide receivers at Vanderbilt and Dartmouth.
Before becoming a coach, Hankton was a terrific receiver. He is Texas Southern University’s all-time leading receiver and owns the program record for most receiving yards in a single season.
Despite going undrafted, Hankton played in the NFL from 2003 to 2008. He ended his career with 34 receptions for 310 yards and two scores.
He’ll bring a plethora of knowledge to Ohio State as they prepare to compete for the national championship in 2026. Hankton should have enough talent at his disposal.
Jeremiah Smith, the two-time Big Ten Receiver of the Year, is entering his junior year. Furthermore, Ohio State has numerous key receivers who are eligible to return next season.
Smith has seven catches for 157 yards and one touchdown against Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Smith’s outstanding individual performance was not enough to propel the Buckeyes to victory. The Hurricanes finally defeated OSU 24-14, ending the season.
