Is 2026 Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith good for the Buckeyes? Ryan Day, the Ohio State head football coach, said Friday he was a home run hire. Ohio State may face a challenging season in 2026. Arthur Smith was bad as the Offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was 7-10 in three consecutive seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
Analysis Of New Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith
Arthur Smith Could Be Good for Ohio State
Smith played football at North Carolina and was an offensive lineman. He could be good for Ohio State and its moribund running game. Ohio State struggled to run the ball in 2025 and did not score in several goal-line situations.
He is also noteworthy because his grandfather founded Federal Express, and his father founded Waffle House. Like Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia, Smith is very smart. By virtue of his inheritance, he has a bunch of money. He coaches football because he wants to, which is a good sign.
It is enticing to think about what he may be able to do with all of the offensive weapons Ohio State has. What could he do with Running Back Bo Jackson, Quarterback Justin Sayin, world-class Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith, Running Back Anthony ‘Turbo’ Rogers, and newcomer Legend Bey?
Smith also spent years with the Tennessee Titans. He finished there as the offensive coordinator in 2020. In his first year as offensive coordinator, Smith oversaw the highest-scoring Titans team in 16 years, with Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and Jonnu Smith having career years.
Day said, “I think we’ve hit a home run here when you look at all the different things,” Day said. “I can’t get into the details of the background and all that, I think I will at some other point, but I think it’s easy to see when you talk to people who know football.”
Arthur Smith Could Be Bad For Ohio State
On the negative side for Smith, he is a failed National Football League coach. He was a bad offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he could be forgiven somewhat because he had an ancient Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Smith was also the head football coach of the Atlanta Falcons. There he was 7-10 in three consecutive seasons, despite having great offensive weapons. Smith was widely criticized by various media outlets throughout the 2023 season for failing to utilize highly drafted players such as Tight End Kyle Pitts, Wide Receiver Drake London, and Running Back Bijan Robinson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smith is the new Offensive Coordinator for the Ohio State football team. Day described the Smith hire as a “home run.” Despite his optimism, there are some questions about whether Smith will be good for the Buckeyes. He was not good in the same position with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and in the job before that, he was mediocre with the Atlanta Falcons.
One reason to be optimistic is that Smith looks like Patricia. Both were successful NFL coordinators, and then followed that with poor head coaching efforts.
Parting Shots
The success Smith had with the Tennessee Titans is fairly recent. Also, there is an example of a not-so-great National Football League coach. Smith’s recent National Football League track record is less than inspiring, like Patricia’s. This last reason is probably why Day thinks Smith is a home run hire.
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