There was skepticism around Arthur Smith’s hiring, but he’s checking all the boxes so far

The hiring of Arthur Smith to be the new Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator was underwhelming.

Smith’s three-year tenure as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons did not go well, going 7-10 in each of those three seasons. The next two seasons, Smith was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator. Those offenses were mediocre at best.

However, I’m optimistic about Arthur Smith as the new Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator.

Smith’s two seasons as the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator are reason to be excited about what he can bring to Ohio State. Plus, remember who the Titans’ head coach was in those two seasons? Mike Vrabel, a Buckeye through and through (yes, I know he’s been in the news recently).

During the two seasons Smith was in Tennessee, the Titans’ offense was unique. It was also a very good offense, one that featured a 2,000-yard rusher in Derrick Henry in 2020.

Everything the Titans’ offense did was built on their ability to run the ball, and with Derrick Henry, they ran it a lot and well. That set up Ryan Tannehill to play the best ball of his career, and it allowed A.J. Brown to be a big-play wide receiver.

Ohio State needs to run the ball again in 2026. Smith can get the Buckeyes’ running game going this season, and that can help Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and the rest of the Buckeyes’ passing game.

The Buckeyes’ offense needs to be versatile and multi-dimensional in 2026. Running the football is a big part of that. Arthur Smith can get the Buckeyes to run the football.

When Smith took over the Titans’ offense in 2019, Derrick Henry finally unleashed the power he rode to the Heisman Trophy in 2015 at Alabama. Henry led the NFL with 303 rushes for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2019, but the Titans were more than just Henry.

Tannehill passed for 2,742 yards and 22 touchdowns, against just six interceptions in 12 games. Mind you, he was a mid-season trade acquisition. A.J. Brown, a rookie that season, had over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Tennessee played in the AFC Championship that season.

In 2020, the Titans were fourth in scoring and second in yards. Henry has 378 rushes for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns. Tannehill passed for 3,819 yards and 33 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Brown caught 70 passes for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Corey Davis had 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns.

Tennessee started 5-0 and won the AFC South with an 11-5 record.

Those two seasons in Tennessee are why I’m in on Arthur Smith. You should be, too. Plus, remember how Matt Patricia was a skeptical hire to take over as defensive coordinator last season? He proved us way wrong.

It’s time for Arthur Smith to do the same thing in 2026, while elevating the Buckeyes’ offense.