Ohio State has named NFL veteran coach Arthur Smith its new offensive coordinator, replacing Bryan Hartline, who left the Buckeyes to become South Florida’s new head coach. New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who played and coached for Ohio State, felt Smith is a perfect fit for the Buckeyes’ offense, which needs improvement, especially in its ground game.
Mike Vrabel Excited To See Arthur Smith in Columbus, Expects Him To Be ‘An Aggressive Play-Caller’
Vrabel, who suited up for the Buckeyes from 1993-96 and began his coaching career as a linebackers coach under Luke Fickell and later as defensive line coach under Urban Meyer, said he welcomes Smith as a new coach for the Scarlet and Gray.
“I’m excited for him to be in Columbus. Obviously, that place means a lot to me, personally, and my family,” the Patriots coach said during the NFL Combine on Wednesday. “For all the Ohio State fans, I guess we have somebody to complain to if they don’t score 50 points a game like every other Buckeye fan does.”
Vrabel and Smith worked together in Tennessee from 2018 to 2021. Smith served as tight ends coach in 2018, then became offensive coordinator, helping develop the Titans’ running game, led by Derrick Henry.
The pair were excellent during their three seasons together, going 29-19 and qualifying for the NFL playoffs twice, with the 2019 AFC Championship Game as their best accomplishment. With Smith running Tennessee’s offense, the Titans ranked among the league’s top rushing attacks.
Smith, who also served as a head coach for the Atlanta Falcons and as an offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be tasked with improving Ohio State’s run game and integrating it into the passing game that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day uses to propel the Buckeyes, who won their ninth national championship in 2024, back to the national title game after missing it this past season.
Vrabel, who also served as an assistant with the Houston Texans before becoming the Titans’ head coach and guiding the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first season, believes Smith’s play-calling skills and creativity would boost the Buckeyes’ offense next season, especially on the ground.
“I think Arthur’s got a physicality to him, a toughness to him that he wants to put on to the football field offensively,” Vrabel said. “He’s creative enough, and he’s worked with a number of different players that I think that they enjoy some of the wrinkles that he has. I think he’s got some core concept that he enjoys. And he’s always been an aggressive play-caller.”
The Patriots’ chief tactician believes Smith will have plenty of work as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, having spent three seasons in Columbus. Vrabel had simple advice for his colleague: “Put the players first, make connections with them, and do what the players do best.”
Ohio State opens its 2026 season on September 5 at home against Ball State before visiting Texas a week later.
