Smith, who recently coached the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense, steps into the role after Brian Hartline's departure for a head coaching opportunity.
For the third straight offseason, the Ohio State Buckeyes football program has seen a significant shift in its coaching staff. Head Coach Ryan Day once again looked to the National Football League (NFL) for a key hire, bringing in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as the new offensive coordinator. This move follows the departure of Brian Hartline, who left Columbus to pursue a Group of Five head coaching role, according to reporting by Yahoo Sports - NFL.
Smith arrives in Columbus to direct an offense brimming with talent, including Heisman Trophy hopefuls Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. His appointment continues a trend of Ohio State tapping into NFL experience for pivotal coaching positions under Day, aiming to bolster the Buckeyes' championship aspirations.
The Buckeyes' offense showcased its potential in Week 1, exploding for 56 points and 671 total yards. Quarterback Julian Sayin, a Heisman finalist last season, threw for an impressive 434 passing yards and three touchdowns, with two backup quarterbacks also contributing touchdown passes. The focus now shifts to Week 2, where Smith will face a challenging road test against No. 3 Texas, a defense that has historically stifled the offensive mind in prior matchups.
NFL Experience Dominates Ohio State's Coaching Strategy
Arthur Smith is the latest in a series of high-profile hires by Ryan Day, signaling a clear strategy to inject NFL-level experience into the Ohio State coaching ranks. This trend began notably when Day relinquished his play-calling duties, paving the way for former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to join the staff.
Kelly, like Smith, previously held an NFL head coaching position. The defensive side of the ball also saw a similar infusion of professional talent with the addition of Matt Patricia, who was instrumental in transforming the Buckeyes' defense into one of the nation's elite units last season. Smith's arrival underscores Day's commitment to recruiting top-tier coaching talent with a proven track record at the highest level of football.
Arthur Smith's Illustrious NFL Journey
Smith's career resume is extensive, showcasing a wealth of experience across both college and professional football. Before joining Ohio State in what the source dates as 2026, he spent the 2024-2025 seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he reportedly worked with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and helped guide the team to an AFC North title and a playoff berth.
Prior to his time in Pittsburgh, Smith served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023, where he earned a reputation for developing young offensive stars such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. His first opportunity as a head coach came after a successful decade-long tenure with the Tennessee Titans, culminating in two seasons (2019-2020) as their offensive coordinator under Mike Vrabel.
During his stint as the Titans' play-caller, the NFL franchise consistently ranked among the league's top five in several critical offensive categories, including total offense, rushing offense, red-zone efficiency, and third-down conversion rate. This period notably coincided with Derrick Henry's historic 2,027-yard rushing season in 2020 and A.J. Brown's back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns to kick off his NFL career, during which Brown amassed 19 touchdowns in 30 games.
Mike Vrabel, now the New England Patriots head coach, praised Smith's versatility to The Dispatch, stating, “He’s flexible. He’s adaptable. He can change with what’s needed and have a pretty good pulse of what the offense needs, and when he was a head coach, what the team needed.” Smith's hiring at Ohio State marks his return to the collegiate ranks, with his last college role being an intern at Ole Miss in 2010. Interestingly, when Day first reached out to Smith for the job, Smith reportedly needed former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, whom he coached as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, to verify Day's phone number. “I met him over the years,” Smith said. “But didn’t know him well.”
New Offensive Vision for the Buckeyes
Arthur Smith takes over the offensive coordinator duties from Brian Hartline, who spent three seasons in the role before accepting the head coaching position at the University of South Florida. Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day expressed enthusiasm for Smith’s integration into the team ahead of the season, remarking on his immediate impact.
“It’s been great,” Day said of Smith's addition and impact, according to The Dispatch. “He brings a great background of offensive football to the table. He’s been able to morph a lot of the things we’ve done with some of the things he’s done in the past.” This blending of offensive philosophies is expected to bring a fresh, yet powerful, dynamic to the Buckeyes’ attack as they navigate a challenging schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ohio State's new offensive coordinator?
Ohio State's new offensive coordinator is Arthur Smith, a former NFL head coach for the Atlanta Falcons and offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. He played offensive line at North Carolina before his extensive coaching career.
What is Arthur Smith's coaching background?
Arthur Smith's coaching career includes roles as Offensive Coordinator for Ohio State (2026-present), Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-2025), and Tennessee Titans (2019-2020). He was also the Head Coach for the Atlanta Falcons (2021-2023), and held various assistant positions with the Titans, Ole Miss, Washington Commanders, and North Carolina.
Who did Arthur Smith replace at Ohio State?
Arthur Smith replaced Brian Hartline as Ohio State's offensive coordinator. Hartline departed the Buckeyes to become the head coach at the University of South Florida after three seasons in the role.
What are the expectations for Ohio State's offense under Smith?
Under Arthur Smith, Ohio State's offense is expected to be a high-powered unit, led by Heisman Trophy hopefuls Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. The team opened Week 1 with 56 points and 671 total yards, demonstrating early potential with Smith blending his NFL schemes with existing Buckeyes strategies.