Ohio State University is making waves in the college football world with the expected hiring of Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator.
Smith, who previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and as offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be taking over an already impressive Buckeyes offense.
This move comes as Brian Hartline departs to take the head coaching job at South Florida.
Smith’s extensive NFL experience and his previous coaching roles make him a valuable addition to Ohio State’s coaching staff.
Arthur Smith’s Coaching Journey
Arthur Smith’s coaching career has been nothing if not varied.
He started out as a defensive intern at Ole Miss in 2010, then quickly jumped to the NFL, spending significant time with the Tennessee Titans.
While with the Titans, Smith rose from a defensive quality control coach to offensive coordinator under Mike Vrabel, an Ohio State alum.
That experience set the stage for his later NFL roles.
From the Titans to the Falcons
Smith’s success with the Titans landed him the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons.
His three-season run there was marked by three straight 7-10 finishes, and the team never made the playoffs.
Still, Smith’s knack for leading and developing offenses kept him on the radar, which led to his next opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Era
Smith joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their offensive coordinator in 2024.
In his first season, he worked with quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, helping the team average 22.4 points per game, which ranked 16th in the NFL.
The next year, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Steelers ticked up to 23.4 points per game and ranked 15th in the league.
The Steelers won the AFC North but were knocked out in the wild card round by the Houston Texans.
Transition to Ohio State
After his time with the Steelers, Smith is now set to join Ohio State, taking over an offense that’s been a powerhouse under coach Ryan Day.
The Buckeyes were the top-ranked team in the country this past season before losing to eventual national champion Indiana in the Big Ten Championship.
Ohio State then fell in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals to Miami, who ended up as the national runner-up.
Ohio State’s Offensive Prospects
At Ohio State, Smith will inherit a star-studded offensive lineup.
The team is headlined by quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith, both expected to make serious noise this coming season.
Smith hasn’t coached in college since 2010, but his long NFL run should bring a fresh perspective and maybe even some new wrinkles to the Buckeyes’ offense.
Challenges and Opportunities
One challenge for Smith will be adapting to the college football scene after so many years in the NFL.
But his background as a former player and coach at North Carolina, plus all that NFL experience, gives him a pretty unique toolkit to bridge the college-pro gap.
Ohio State’s Recent Success
Under coach Ryan Day, Ohio State has been a mainstay at the top of college football.
The team won a national championship in 2024 with Chip Kelly running the offense, before Kelly returned to the NFL.
This past season, the Buckeyes held the top spot in the rankings for most of the year.
Even after their loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and a playoff defeat to Miami, the Buckeyes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Ohio State is already being touted as one of the top teams in the country.
Alongside Texas and Georgia, the Buckeyes are expected to be right up there in the rankings.
With Arthur Smith now running the offense, Ohio State fans have plenty of reasons to feel hopeful about what’s next.
Conclusion
The hiring of Arthur Smith as Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator is a big move for the Buckeyes. Smith brings years of NFL experience and a pretty interesting coaching background.
He’s stepping into a program that always expects a lot. There’s real hope that his approach could shake things up for Ohio State’s offense.
If you’re curious about Smith’s hiring or want to dig into his coaching story, check out CBS Sports.
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