Ohio State football just made a bold move, bringing in Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. Brian Hartline, who had his ups and downs in the role, is heading to South Florida to take over as head coach.
Ryan Day wanted someone with more experience, and Smith’s NFL background stood out. Folks around the program are hoping Smith shakes things up and gives the Buckeyes’ offense a real spark.
Smith’s been around the coaching block for almost twenty years, mostly in the NFL. Way back, he played offensive line at North Carolina, then jumped into coaching there in 2006.
He spent time at Ole Miss as an intern and administrative assistant in 2010. The NFL came calling soon after, and he started with the Tennessee Titans, moving up from quality control coach to offensive coordinator.
With the Titans, Smith really left his mark on the running game. Derrick Henry, under Smith’s watch, racked up over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns in his best season.
That ground game became the backbone of the Titans’ offense, helping them reach the AFC Championship Game in 2019. Not too shabby, right?
After Tennessee, Smith took over as head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons didn’t exactly light it up, finishing 21-30 over three years, but Smith picked up a ton of experience running the whole show.
That head coaching perspective could come in handy now that he’s headed to Columbus. It’s easy to see why Ohio State wanted someone who’s seen it all.
Ohio State’s offense last year was still good by most standards, but it didn’t have the same fireworks fans are used to. The run game, in particular, lagged behind, ranking 72nd in the nation—just 154.36 yards a game.
Smith’s history of boosting rushing attacks is tough to ignore. That’s exactly what Ohio State needs right now.
Look at his past work: Derrick Henry’s monster season was only one example. Najee Harris had his second-best year under Smith, and last season, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell both hit career highs even while splitting carries.
If Smith can get that kind of production in Columbus, the Buckeyes’ offense could look a whole lot different.
Smith isn’t just a run-game guy, though. He’s also worked closely with quarterbacks, helping them get comfortable and confident in the passing attack.
That’s important, especially since Ohio State struggled to put up points in the postseason, managing just 24 total points against Indiana and Miami. Improving both sides of the offense is a must.
Ryan Day has talked about needing someone with Smith’s experience so he can step back a bit. With Smith calling plays, Day can focus more on player development, staff management, and, let’s be honest, all the NIL stuff that’s become so crucial.
It’s a shift that worked before—remember when Chip Kelly came in and led the Buckeyes to a national title? They’re hoping lightning strikes twice.
This year, Day wants the team to build an identity that lasts all season, not just in the early games. Smith’s been through the grind of long NFL seasons and playoff pushes, so he knows how to keep a team on track.
The 2026 schedule is no joke, with five ranked opponents lined up. Consistency is going to matter more than ever.
Smith’s big on player development and making sure everyone’s on the same page. He likes to work with quarterbacks and skill guys, making sure they get both the run and pass concepts down.
Julian Sayin, the Heisman hopeful at quarterback, has already said he’s excited to team up with Smith. That’s got to be a good sign for Buckeye fans looking for a new spark on offense.
Conclusion
Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator is a bold move. The team clearly needed a fresh approach to their offensive struggles.
Smith brings a ton of NFL experience to the table. He’s shown he can develop both the run and pass games, which is exactly what the Buckeyes have been missing lately.
With a tough schedule ahead, Smith’s expertise should matter. Working alongside head coach Ryan Day, he’ll have his work cut out for him, no doubt.
If you want to dig deeper into what this means for Ohio State football, check out the full article on 247Sports.
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