Arthur Smith’s tenure as offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans saw his offenses rank among the NFL’s elite, but his roles as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers did not yield similar success.
Smith’s achievements in Nashville, combined with his extensive experience as a top-level offensive play caller and head coach, gave Ryan Day good reason to select Smith as Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator. Day has previously found success hiring former NFL head coaches, even if they came from less inspiring backgrounds, like Matt Patricia and Chip Kelly.
However, the lackluster performance of Smith’s offenses in Atlanta and Pittsburgh has led fans to question whether he is the right choice to steer the Buckeyes’ offense—especially after a disappointing conclusion to the 2025 season, where Ohio State managed only 24 total points in its final two games against Indiana and Miami.
To better understand Smith’s offensive capabilities, we’ll analyze how his teams performed in his seven years as an offensive play caller in the NFL.
Smith’s Titans Offenses Excelled
The Tennessee Titans have only ranked in the top 10 for scoring offense twice in the past 22 seasons, achieving this both times under Smith’s coordination. He was promoted to offensive coordinator by then-head coach Mike Vrabel after spending eight years in various coaching roles with the Titans.
Under Smith’s guidance, the Titans transformed from one of the league’s weakest offenses to one of its best, significantly improving in both yards and points per game in 2019. They further enhanced their performance in 2020, ranking fourth in points and third in yards.
Smith’s Struggles with the Falcons
During his initial venture as a head coach, Smith took on dual responsibilities, calling plays for the Falcons instead of assigning the task to an offensive coordinator. Unfortunately, he did not replicate his prior success in Atlanta. The Falcons’ rushing game plummeted to one of the worst in 2021, failing to capitalize on talented personnel compared to his Titans’ teams.
Although the Falcons improved their rushing performance in 2022, they struggled with passing efficiency and finished poorly in points per game, ultimately resulting in Smith’s departure after three consecutive 7-10 seasons.
Mixed Results with the Steelers
Smith’s stints with the Steelers were characterized by mediocrity. While Pittsburgh finished in the top half of scoring in his two seasons, they stumbled in crucial playoff games, scoring poorly despite maintaining average yardage statistics. Quarterback instability hindered his effectiveness, illustrating the challenges he faced in both seasons.
Potential Positive Impact at Ohio State
Smith’s arrival at Ohio State will likely benefit from superior talent at quarterback and wide receiver compared to his NFL tenures. With star prospects like Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, who have the potential to elevate the offense significantly, Smith aims to enhance the Buckeyes’ running game, which faltered last season.
For Smith to succeed at Ohio State, he must recover from the underwhelming performances of his past offenses, leveraging the wealth of talent at his disposal. His experience could bring innovative strategies and readiness to face defenses, capitalizing on the skills of Sayin and Smith as they enter their final collegiate seasons before potentially transitioning to the NFL.
