Sep 14, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Arthur Smith has a new challenge for the 2026 football season after serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons.
Smith is now the OC at Ohio State and will try to get the most out of that unit. OSU’s offense returns a ton of production, including quarterback Julian Sayin and star wideout Jeremiah Smith.
Smith hasn’t coached in college for a while, but he’s super excited about it, especially since he’s at a school with a great chance of winning the national title this year.
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“When you’re looking at the draft or when you’re trying to map out the next season’s free agency and needs, all that stuff is very similar now in the college game,” Smith told On3’s Chris Low.
NEW: Ohio State OC Arthur Smith tells @Clowfb Columbus was where he wanted to be after leaving the NFL🌰
"When you’re looking at the draft or when you’re trying to map out the next season’s free agency and needs … all that stuff is very similar now in the college game."
Story:… pic.twitter.com/DvxUoz6QAQ
— On3 (@On3) August 12, 2026
Smith left the Steelers in January after former head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down. Tomlin was the head coach for 19 seasons before deciding that it was time for something new.
Smith’s first game as the Buckeyes’ OC will be on Sept. 5 against the Ball State Cardinals. He’ll then get a major test since the Buckeyes will play the Texas Longhorns on Sept. 12. It’s one of those games that should excite every college football fan. ‘
Kickoff for the Sept. 5 game will be at 12:30 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network, while the Sept. 12 game will start at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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