Ryan Day goes back to the NFL ranks to find Ohio State football’s next offensive coordinator to replace Brian Hartline
The Buckeyes are hiring Arthur Smith as the team’s next offensive coordinator.
The Ohio State Buckeyes acted quickly after the season ended to name Cortez Hankton the next wide receivers coach to replace Brian Hartline. Hartline’s decision to take the job at South Florida was an impactful one.
Ohio State has had the offensive coordinator position open for a few weeks, and that spot has finally been filled. Head coach Ryan Day is once again going to the NFL to fill a major coaching role.
Ohio State adds Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith to be the next play caller in Columbus
According to multiple reports, the Buckeyes are bringing in Arthur Smith as their next offensive coordinator. Smith replaces Hartline, who spent one year calling plays for the Buckeyes during a season in which they went 12-2 and lost their last two games, including a loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff.
Smith was receiving interest from the NFL during the head-coaching hiring cycle and as an offensive coordinator. With Mike Tomlin stepping down in Pittsburgh, the doors opened for Smith to head elsewhere. Ohio State had huge success with bringing Matt Patricia in from the NFL, and now it’s trying it with Smith.
Smith got his name as the offense coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and was the Atlanta Falcons head coach by 2021. The 43-year-old Tennessee native has been the Steelers’ play-caller for the past two seasons.
Arthur Smith just made a quick move to leave Pittsburgh
The writing was on the wall when it came to Smith’s tenure with the Steelers. Now, did I think he would leave just hours after the Steelers named Mike McCarthy their next head coach? No. Did I think he would leave for college football? Absolutely not.
However, the Ohio State Buckeyes are probably a better OC job than what was left on the table in the NFL. Beyond that, Smith’s scheme of heavy personnel, play action, and deep shots to the perimeter not only screams Big Ten, but it also screams Ohio State.
Smith didn’t exactly have the personnel in Pittsburgh that other offenses do, yet there were still flashes of excellence. As long as he doesn’t stay married to the HB toss, the Buckeyes will thrive.
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Positive Matt Patricia development comes about for Ohio State football, and it should bring a sigh of relief to Buckeye Nation
The Ohio State defensive coordinator is busy on the road for the Buckeyes.
