The Buckeyes are expected to hire Arthur Smith as their next offensive coordinator, the Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, confirmed.
Smith was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers the past two seasons after he served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons. The Steelers offense made improvements under Smith, but when longtime coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons at the helm, it opened the door for the coordinator to find a new job.
He’s another former NFL coach to land on Ryan Day’s staff, and the Buckeyes will hope it produces the same results. Matt Patricia took over as defensive coordinator for the 2025 season and led what was arguably the best unit in the country, leading the nation in points allowed (9.3), total defense (219.1) and passing yards given up (129.7) per game.
This will be the first time Smith heads to the college ranks since he was an administrative assistant at Mississippi in 2010. He takes over the offense after former player and longtime assistant Brian Hartline left to take the head coaching job at South Florida. Smith will be the third offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes in three seasons after Chip Kelly served in the role during the 2024-25 national championship season.
Ohio State’s offense struggled toward the end of the 2025 season, leading to its quarterfinal exit in the College Football Playoff. It failed to score more than 20 points in its last two games, both of which were losses.
The new offensive coordinator inherits one of the most talented units in the country, led by receiver Jeremiah Smith, quarterback Julian Sayin and running back Bo Jackson.
