When Ryan Day calls a coaching hire a “home run,” it turns heads. And that’s exactly what happened when the Ohio State head coach gave that label to Arthur Smith, the Buckeyes’ new offensive coordinator. It’s a bold endorsement-and one that’s sparked plenty of conversation.
Let’s unpack it.
Smith arrives in Columbus after a long journey through the NFL ranks. Most recently, he spent two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and before that, three years as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. His NFL resume also includes a notable stint with the Tennessee Titans, where he rose from quality control coach in 2011 to offensive coordinator, eventually calling plays for one of the league’s most physical and efficient offenses.
The high point? That 2020 season in Tennessee, when the Titans earned the AFC’s top seed and Derrick Henry bulldozed his way to a monstrous year.
That offense finished fourth in total yardage-and more importantly, it had a clear identity: tough, run-heavy, and efficient in the red zone. Smith leaned into what worked, and the results spoke for themselves.
But outside of that breakout year, the numbers haven’t always been kind.
Smith’s offenses in Tennessee were ranked 10th and 4th in yardage-strong showings, no doubt. But once he took the helm in Atlanta, the production dipped.
The Falcons ranked 29th, 24th, and 17th in total offense during his three seasons there. In Pittsburgh, the offense struggled to find rhythm as well, finishing 23rd and 25th over the past two years.
Now, raw rankings don’t tell the whole story. Context matters-roster limitations, quarterback play, injuries, and organizational direction all factor in. But it’s fair to say that outside of that 2020 campaign, Smith’s offenses haven’t consistently lived in the upper tier of the NFL.
So, why would Ryan Day call this a “home run”?
It likely comes down to fit and vision. Day has made it clear he’s looking for someone who can bring toughness and identity to the Buckeyes’ offense-someone who can help balance the finesse of the passing game with a physical ground attack.
Smith’s Titans offenses did exactly that. And while his college coaching experience is limited-his last stint was with Ole Miss back in 2010-his NFL background could bring a fresh perspective to the Big Ten.
Still, this isn’t a plug-and-play situation. Smith will be stepping into a college landscape that’s changed dramatically since he last coached at that level.
NIL, the transfer portal, and the ever-evolving tempo of the college game all present new challenges. And Buckeye fans, understandably, want to see results before buying into the hype.
The comparisons to Matt Patricia are floating around too-another former NFL coach with a mixed head coaching record who made the jump back to a coordinator role. But the situations aren’t identical.
Patricia had three Super Bowl rings and a long track record of defensive dominance in New England. Smith’s resume is different-less decorated, but with flashes of high-level offensive success.
At the end of the day, Day’s belief in Smith is what’s driving this move. He sees something in the former Falcons coach that he believes can elevate Ohio State’s offense. Whether that faith translates into success on Saturdays remains to be seen.
For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation in Columbus. The pieces are there-talent, resources, and now, a new offensive mind with NFL pedigree. If Smith can tap into the version of himself that led Derrick Henry and the Titans to the top of the AFC, Buckeye fans might just come around to the “home run” label.
But until then, the scoreboard will have the final say.