Ohio State head coach Ryan Day didn’t rush the process, but when the Buckeyes finally made their move, it was a big one. After former offensive coordinator Brian Hartline departed Columbus to take the head coaching job at South Florida, Ohio State was left with a massive vacancy on its coaching staff.
Arthur Smith is Ohio State’s New Offensive Coordinator
Hartline’s exit created a void that took time to fill, but Day ultimately landed a proven offensive mind with NFL pedigree: former Atlanta Falcons head coach and, most recently, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who previously earned $6 million annually.
Former Steelers OC Arthur Smith is finalizing a deal to be hired as the next offensive coordinator at Ohio State, per source. pic.twitter.com/oeGEBAPqaS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2026
Smith arrives in Columbus with an extensive résumé as a play-caller. While his head coaching stint in Atlanta didn’t pan out as hoped for either side, his reputation as an offensive architect has never been in question. Smith’s offenses have consistently shown structure, balance, and creativity, and he now brings that experience to one of college football’s premier programs.
He also inherits an offense that was among the nation’s elite in 2025. Ohio State finished third nationally in PFSN’s CFB Offensive Impact Grades, earning a 90.9 overall grade while averaging 33.4 points per game. Replacing that level of production won’t be easy, and Smith will have big shoes to fill following the success of the coordinators before him.
What Smith brings stylistically is a run-first, pro-style offense, something not seen as frequently at the college level but highly valued by NFL evaluators. That approach could benefit virtually every Buckeye on the offensive side of the ball, especially those with aspirations of playing on Sundays. Smith’s system emphasizes timing, physicality, and situational football, traits that translate directly to the next level.
Fortunately for Smith, he won’t be short on talent.
Buckeyes Have The Offensive Firepower
Ohio State boasts arguably the best player in all of college football in Jeremiah Smith, who finished top five in PFSN’s CFB WR impact grades while ranking top seven nationally in both receptions and receiving yards. Smith’s combination of size, speed, and route-running gives Arthur Smith a true centerpiece to build around.
At quarterback, the Buckeyes welcome back Heisman finalist Julian Sayin, who ranked inside the top five in PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metric and led the nation in completion percentage. Pairing Sayin’s efficiency and decision-making with a pro-style scheme could unlock another level of Ohio State’s passing attack.
If Arthur Smith wasn’t going to remain in the NFL, there may not have been a better landing spot. Ohio State has become a pipeline for NFL talent, and the Buckeyes’ infrastructure mirrors that of a professional organization more than a traditional college program.
The pressure will be on for Smith to maintain, and possibly elevate, the standard that’s already been set in Columbus. But with elite talent, top-tier resources, and a roster built to win now, lack of support won’t be an excuse.
For Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, this hire represents a bold swing, and one that could keep Ohio State’s offense among the nation’s best for years to come.
