The Buckeyes have made their move.
Ohio State has hired Arthur Smith as its new offensive coordinator, bringing in a coach with a deep NFL résumé and a clear identity as a play-caller. It took some time for Ryan Day and his staff to land on their guy, but they’ve now turned to a former NFL head coach with a reputation for physical, run-first football-something that could bring a new edge to the Buckeyes' offense in 2026.
Smith spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and before that, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. While his experience at the college level is minimal-he hasn’t coached in the NCAA ranks since 2011, when he was a defensive intern-his NFL background brings a level of sophistication and toughness that could complement what Day already has in place.
Not everyone is sold just yet, and that’s understandable. College football and the NFL are different animals. But if you’re looking for a vote of confidence, former Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry is all in on the hire.
Speaking on Bishop & Friends on 97.1 The Fan, Perry laid out why he thinks Smith is a strong addition to the Buckeyes’ coaching staff. “This is a guy who is known for aggressive run schemes and is known for great play-action passing,” Perry said. “And I think it complements what Ryan Day wants to do in his own philosophy, where he's great in the pass game.”
That’s the key here-fit. Day has built his offense around elite quarterback play and a dynamic passing attack.
But if there’s been one consistent critique of his tenure, it’s the lack of a consistent, punishing run game. Smith’s background could help balance that equation.
Perry believes the Buckeyes can elevate their ground game without sacrificing the aerial fireworks that have defined the program in recent years. That’s a big deal, especially with two of the most talented offensive players in the country set to lead the charge next season.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin are expected to be the focal points of the offense in 2026. Smith is already a proven weapon, while Sayin is poised to take a major step forward.
The challenge for Arthur Smith? Keep both of them heavily involved while introducing more physicality and balance to the scheme.
And here’s one advantage Smith brings to the table right away-he’s called plays before. That might sound simple, but it’s no small thing.
Brian Hartline stepped into the OC role last season without previous play-calling experience, and that learning curve can be steep. Smith won’t need to figure that part out on the fly.
There’s always risk when you bring in a coach from the NFL to run a college offense. The tempo, the personnel, the recruiting-it’s a different world.
But what Arthur Smith brings is a defined identity and a track record of building tough, smart offenses. If he can mesh that with Day’s quarterback-friendly system, the Buckeyes might just be cooking up something dangerous in Columbus.
One thing’s for sure: with Sayin, Smith, and now Arthur Smith in the mix, Ohio State’s offense isn’t short on talent-or intrigue-heading into the 2026 season.