On Saturday, Ohio State University made a significant move by hiring Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. This decision marks the second consecutive year that head coach Ryan Day has appointed a coordinator with substantial NFL experience. Smith previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023.
Arthur Smith’s Coaching Background
Arthur Smith, age 43, is a well-regarded figure in the football coaching community. Under coach Day’s guidance, he is expected to bring immediate impact to the Ohio State program. Day praised Smith’s NFL track record, noting that his experience as a coordinator and head coach aligns perfectly with the requirements set by the team.
Replacing Brian Hartline
Smith takes over the offensive coordinator position from Brian Hartline, who recently became the head coach at South Florida after an eight-year tenure at Ohio State. Coach Day expressed confidence in Smith’s ability to connect with players and help them maximize their potential on the field.
Smith’s NFL Accomplishments
- Coached the Steelers’ offense for two seasons.
- Led the Falcons as head coach from 2021 to 2023.
- Started his NFL career in 2007 as a quality control coach with Washington.
- Served on the Tennessee Titans staff from 2011 to 2020, rising to offensive coordinator.
Notably, Smith has a track record of working with multiple successful running backs in the NFL. He is the only offensive coordinator or head coach in the league to have overseen seven different running backs each gain at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage over the past seven seasons.
Player Development and Future Prospects
Smith’s extensive experience extends to coaching prominent quarterbacks such as Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, and Marcus Mariota. Returning to Ohio State, Heisman finalist Julian Sayin will lead the team alongside outstanding wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has earned AP All-America honors in the past two seasons.
Coach Day is hopeful this hiring will yield positive results, similar to the previous year’s successful appointment of Matt Patricia as the defensive coordinator, who helped secure a top-ranked defense for the Buckeyes.
