Arthur Smith is heading back to college football-and this time, he’s stepping into one of the most high-profile offensive roles in the country. The former Atlanta Falcons head coach is reportedly set to become the new offensive coordinator at Ohio State, joining Ryan Day’s staff for the 2026 season.
Smith takes over for Brian Hartline, who recently left to take the head coaching job at USF. And he’s not walking into a rebuild.
He’ll be handed the keys to an offense loaded with top-tier talent, including Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin at quarterback and Biletnikoff Award winner Jeremiah Smith at wide receiver. That’s a dream pairing for any play-caller, let alone one with Smith’s NFL pedigree.
This move marks a return to the college game for Smith, albeit in a much different role than his last stint. His only previous college coaching experience came back in 2010 as a defensive intern at Ole Miss.
Since then, it’s been a steady climb through the NFL ranks, culminating in a three-year run as the Falcons’ head coach from 2021 to 2023. While his time in Atlanta didn’t produce the results fans hoped for-three straight 7-10 seasons led to his dismissal in early 2024-his reputation as a creative offensive mind still carries weight.
After leaving Atlanta, Smith landed in Pittsburgh, where he served as offensive coordinator under Mike Tomlin for two seasons. His first year with the Steelers saw the team rank 11th in the league in rushing, averaging 127.4 yards per game in 2024.
But the ground game regressed in 2025, falling to 26th with just 103.3 yards per contest. That dip in production raised questions about scheme fit and personnel usage, but Smith’s overall experience and adaptability still make him an intriguing hire for a college program looking to maximize elite offensive talent.
Ohio State, of course, isn’t just any college program. It’s one of the premier destinations in the country, and expectations are always sky-high. Smith becomes the second former NFL head coach to hold the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator title in the past three seasons-following Chip Kelly, who held the position in 2024 before Hartline took over in 2025.
Ryan Day now has a staff that includes not just Smith, but also Matt Patricia, another former NFL head coach, coordinating the defense. That’s a lot of NFL experience in the building, and it signals a clear intent: Ohio State is all-in on maximizing every edge it can get.
Smith’s challenge will be translating his pro-style concepts to a college game that’s faster, more spread out, and full of unique defensive looks. But with Sayin under center and Jeremiah Smith on the outside, he’s got the kind of weapons that can make any system shine. If he can tailor his approach to the college level-and get the most out of an already loaded roster-Ohio State’s offense could be one of the most dangerous units in the country next fall.
It’s a fresh start for Arthur Smith and a bold move for the Buckeyes. Now, we wait to see how it all comes together in Columbus.