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UNC coaching search: Major update emerges on candidacy of Steelers OC Arthur Smith

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax12/01/24BarkleyTruax
Arthur Smith, Steelers
Arthur Smith, Steelers - © Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith informed North Carolina that he will not pursue its head coaching vacancy, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Smith was previously considered a candidate, but it appears that he’ll be staying in Pittsburgh for the time being. He previously served as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

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UNC announced on Nov. 26 that former head coach Mack Brown would not return in 2025. They finished the regular season 6-6 after losing to NC State 35-30 in Week 14.

Smith is a graduate of North Carolina, so naturally conversation gravitated toward Smith. Given the success he’s had in Pittsburgh this season, he was an obvious first choice. After all, he got his coaching career started in 2006 as a graduate assistant in Chapel Hill.

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He addressed these rumors earlier this week.

“I appreciate it, love that place. But that’s not my focus,” Smith told reporters on Thursday, via Rapoport’s report. “I’ve got one of the best jobs in football right now. There’s a lot to be said too about (how you) can’t put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have here.”

While Smith may have turned down coaching at his alma mater, Rapoport did note that the Steelers OC may very well receive head coaching consideration in the NFL during the offseason.

Currently, Pittsburgh is 8-3 on the season and is set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals during Week 13. A victory over their AFC North rivals this weekend will help them maintain atop the division standings.

In Atlanta, Smith had a record of 21-30 in three seasons as the team’s head coach. He went 7-10 in each of those seasons. From 2011-2020, he was an assistant with the Tennessee Titans.

For now, UNC will need to heep its options open as they search for the football program’s next head. Mack Brown has already announced that he will not coach in whichever bowl game the Tar Heels are invited to.