After nearly two months without an offensive coordinator, Ohio State has found its man - and he’s bringing serious NFL experience to Columbus. Former Atlanta Falcons head coach and most recently Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is set to take over the Buckeyes' offense, according to multiple reports.
This move marks another significant NFL-to-college transition under head coach Ryan Day, who previously dipped into the pro ranks for defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. With most of the top college OC candidates already off the board, Day turned his attention to the NFL, and Smith emerged as the top target.
Let’s break down what this means for Ohio State.
Arthur Smith’s NFL Pedigree
Smith comes with a résumé that’s hard to ignore. He spent three seasons as the head coach of the Falcons, and before that, built a reputation as a creative play-caller during his time as the offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans. Most recently, he served as OC under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.
Now, with the Steelers undergoing a coaching transition - Tomlin out, Mike McCarthy in - Smith is heading back to the college game for the first time in over a decade. And he’s stepping into one of the most high-profile coordinator roles in the country.
A Shift in Offensive Identity?
Ohio State fans have grown accustomed to high-flying, pass-first offenses under Ryan Day. But Smith’s background suggests a possible shift in philosophy. He’s known for building offenses around the run game - think Derrick Henry in Tennessee - and that could mark a notable change in how the Buckeyes operate on that side of the ball.
That said, don’t expect the Buckeyes to go full ground-and-pound. Smith has shown he can mix things up when the talent calls for it, and Ohio State has no shortage of weapons through the air - most notably, star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and highly touted quarterback Julian Sayin.
Yes, Smith leans toward a run-heavy approach, but he’s not allergic to the pass. He’s smart enough to know that Sayin’s arm and Jeremiah Smith’s explosiveness are too valuable to ignore.
The likely outcome? A more balanced attack than we’ve seen in recent years, one that still lets Sayin air it out when the moment calls for it.
Ryan Day’s Role Moving Forward
While Smith is expected to handle play-calling duties, Day will remain involved in the offense - as he has throughout his tenure. But this hire signals a willingness from Day to delegate more of the offensive reins, perhaps to focus more broadly on the program or to bring fresh perspective to a unit that, while still potent, has lacked consistent identity in recent seasons.
What It Means for the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes haven’t run the ball with the kind of consistency you’d expect from a perennial playoff contender. That’s something Smith will be tasked with fixing. His offenses are built on physicality, timing, and efficiency - all traits that could help Ohio State re-establish dominance in the trenches and open up the playbook for Sayin and company.
This isn’t just a reactionary hire. It’s a strategic one. Day is betting that Smith’s NFL experience, especially his ability to scheme the run and balance an offense, will elevate Ohio State’s attack and bring a new dimension to a team that’s been knocking on the door of a national title.
If Smith can blend his ground-game expertise with the Buckeyes' elite talent at quarterback and wide receiver, this offense could be more dangerous - and more complete - than it’s been in years.
Bottom line: Arthur Smith is coming to Columbus with something to prove. And if his NFL track record is any indication, he just might be the right guy to take the Buckeyes' offense to the next level.