Ohio State expected to hire Arthur Smith as next offensive coordinator

Ohio State is expected to hire Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as its next offensive coordinator, sources tell On3. The hire comes following Brian Hartline’s leaving to take the USF head coaching job.

Smith is the former Atlanta Falcons head coach who was in his second season as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator. The Steelers made the playoffs in both seasons with Smith as offensive coordinator, but head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after their playoff loss to the Texans this month.

The new Ohio State offensive coordinator will take over one of the top returning offenses in college football. Starting quarterback Julian Sayin is back, along with star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and leading rusher Bo Jackson.

It’s the second coordinator move where Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has turned to the NFL ranks. The Buckeyes tapped Matt Patricia as their next defensive coordinator last offseason; his unit ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense, allowing just 219.1 yards per game.

Pittsburgh improved in total offense, rush offense and scoring offense in 2024 under Smith, ranking 11th in the NFL in rush offense (127.4 yards per game). The Steelers added multiple pieces to their offense ahead of the 2025 season, none bigger than quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh finished this season 15th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 23.4 points.

Smith was a candidate for the North Carolina job last offseason. He’s a former offensive lineman for the Tar Heels. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Tar Heels. His only other stop in college came in 2010, when he was a defensive intern at Ole Miss.