Ohio State is close to hiring Arthur Smith as its new offensive coordinator, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll be stepping in for Brian Hartline, who just became the head coach at South Florida.
Smith has spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers under Mike Tomlin. Before that, he led the Atlanta Falcons for three years, ending with a record of 21-30. This past season, the Steelers ranked 15th in the NFL, averaging 22 points per game. They won their division but were knocked out of the playoffs by the Houston Texans.
At Ohio State, Smith will work with a strong offensive lineup. Quarterback Julian Sayin was a Heisman finalist in his first year as a starter. Freshman Bo Jackson rushed for over 1,000 yards, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith enters his junior year as a two-time All-American. Despite finishing the regular season undefeated, Ohio State fell to Indiana in the Big Ten championship and lost to Miami in the playoffs.
Smith’s background includes a decade of experience with the Tennessee Titans as an assistant before becoming head coach in Atlanta. His experience could be just what Ohio State needs to capitalize on its returning offensive talent.
Recent statistics suggest that teams with solid offensive coordination often have a higher chance of success in both college and professional football. A study by the NCAA indicated that effective offensive play calling can increase scoring by as much as 10 points per game. This is particularly relevant for Ohio State as they aim to bounce back from last season’s disappointments.
As fans eagerly await the official announcement, reactions on social media reflect a mix of excitement and optimism about Smith’s potential impact on the Buckeyes’ offense.
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