Arthur Smith is making a surprising pivot in his coaching journey, leaving the NFL ranks to join the Ohio State Buckeyes as their new offensive coordinator. It's the first college coordinator role of his career, and it marks a notable shift for a coach who's spent the bulk of his professional life in the NFL trenches.
Smith steps into the role previously held by Brian Hartline under head coach Ryan Day. And while he had interest from several NFL teams-including the Titans and Eagles-he's opting instead for a return to the college game, becoming the latest in a growing line of NFL coaches heading back to campus.
Smith's NFL résumé is extensive. He made his name as the offensive coordinator in Tennessee from 2019 to 2020, helping the Titans build a rugged, run-first offense that leaned heavily on physicality and play-action.
Before that, he spent over a decade in various roles within the Titans organization, climbing the ladder from quality control coach to tight ends coach and eventually to OC. His deep ties to the franchise, and to the state-he’s a Memphis native-made his rise there feel almost inevitable.
In 2021, Smith took the next step, landing the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons. But after three seasons and inconsistent results, owner Arthur Blank decided to move on.
Now, Smith is hitting the reset button, but not in the way many expected. Rather than jumping right back into the NFL as a play-caller, he's taking his talents to Columbus.
This isn’t the first time Smith has had a chance to return to the college game. A year ago, he reportedly turned down the head coaching job at North Carolina-his alma mater-despite interest from school officials and boosters.
That job eventually went to Bill Belichick in a stunning move, but Smith’s decision to pass on it raised eyebrows at the time. Now, it looks more like he was waiting for the right fit.
Even with his new role at Ohio State, Smith remains a hot name in coaching circles. He’s interviewed for two offensive coordinator jobs and has also been in the mix for a pair of head coaching vacancies-including one with the Arizona Cardinals, which remains open. His blend of NFL experience and offensive acumen keeps him in demand, whether at the pro or college level.
For Ohio State, this is a significant hire. Smith brings a wealth of NFL knowledge to a program that’s consistently in the national title conversation. And for Smith, it’s a chance to reestablish his identity as a play-caller, away from the pressures of being a head coach, and in a setting where he can mold young quarterbacks and skill players in one of the most talent-rich programs in the country.
It’s a bold move, but one that could pay off for both sides.