What Happened to Arthur William Smith?
Arthur Smith, a prominent American football coach, transitioned from NFL head coach with the Atlanta Falcons (2021-2023) and offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-2025) to college football in early 2026, where he now serves as the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His career has seen him rise through various coaching ranks, known for his offensive schemes.
Quick Answer
Arthur Smith is currently the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes, a position he accepted on January 31, 2026. Prior to this, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023, and then served as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons. He is set to call plays from the sideline for Ohio State's 2026 season.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Memphis, Tennessee
Arthur William Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee.
Began NFL Coaching Career
Smith started his NFL coaching career as a defensive quality control coach for the Washington Redskins.
Joined Tennessee Titans Staff
Smith joined the Tennessee Titans, holding various assistant coaching roles over the next decade.
Promoted to Titans Offensive Coordinator
After several years in various roles, Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, where he gained recognition for his offensive schemes.
Hired as Atlanta Falcons Head Coach
Smith was hired as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, marking his first head coaching position in the NFL.
Fired by Atlanta Falcons
After three consecutive 7-10 seasons and missing the playoffs, Smith was fired as the Falcons' head coach.
Hired as Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator
Shortly after his dismissal from Atlanta, Smith was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers to be their offensive coordinator.
Steelers Offense Shows Rushing Improvement
In his first season as Steelers OC, the team's offense ranked 11th in rush offense and 16th in points scored.
Steelers Make Playoffs with Aaron Rodgers
Under Smith's coordination, the Steelers made a playoff appearance, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers having an efficient season.
Interviewed for NFL Head Coach/OC Roles
Following Mike Tomlin's resignation from the Steelers, Smith interviewed for head coaching positions with the Titans and Cardinals, and an OC role with the Lions.
Hired as Ohio State Offensive Coordinator
Smith transitioned to college football, accepting the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State under head coach Ryan Day.
Confirmed to Coach from Sideline for Ohio State
It was confirmed that Smith will coach and call plays from the field for the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2026 season.
Prepares for First Ohio State Game
Arthur Smith takes in 'The Shoe' ahead of his first official game as offensive coordinator for Ohio State.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Arthur William Smith's coaching journey began in the NFL in 2007 with the Washington Redskins as a defensive quality control coach. He spent a significant period with the Tennessee Titans from 2011 to 2020, progressing through various offensive roles before becoming their offensive coordinator in 2019. During his tenure as the Titans' offensive coordinator, he was credited with revitalizing quarterback Ryan Tannehill's career and overseeing a highly effective rushing attack led by Derrick Henry.
His success with the Titans led to his first head coaching opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was hired on January 15, 2021. Smith's time in Atlanta was marked by three consecutive 7-10 seasons, failing to make the playoffs. He faced considerable criticism for his inability to maximize the potential of high-drafted offensive players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson. This ultimately led to his firing on January 8, 2024, after the 2023 season concluded.
Following his departure from the Falcons, Smith quickly returned to the NFL, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers as their offensive coordinator on February 2, 2024. In his first season with the Steelers in 2024, the offense showed improvements in the run game, ranking 11th in the NFL in rush offense. The 2025 season saw the Steelers make a playoff appearance, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers posting an efficient season under Smith's guidance, throwing for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, after Mike Tomlin's resignation as head coach, Smith explored other opportunities, interviewing for head coaching roles with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, and an offensive coordinator position with the Detroit Lions in January 2026.
Ultimately, Smith made a significant career shift to college football. On January 31, 2026, he was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes under head coach Ryan Day. As of September 2026, Smith is actively preparing for the 2026 college football season, with reports confirming he will coach and call plays from the sideline, a deviation from Ohio State's recent practice. This move marks a new chapter in his coaching career, bringing his extensive NFL experience to a high-profile collegiate program.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Arthur William Smith made different choices?