The coaching talent tree at ND is too watered down at this point, I agree if we were to take Rees as an HC it would be a tacit acceptance of mediocrity.
FWIW, I like Hartline for the OSU job. I don't care for OSU in general, and there is something about Ryan Day I just don't like. It may just be an RBF thing but he reminds me a lot of Shaw with that sour look on his face. I accept that my dislike of him is irrational, and also that I know myself well enough to know I am happy to carry my irrational dislike with me.