Ohio State have been doing their best in recent years to operate more like an NFL team, hiring Chip Kelly and Matt Patricia to key assistant roles and reaping big rewards. They’re making it three years in a row now, adding former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator.
Smith was reportedly hired as the Buckeyes’ new offensive coordinator for 2026. He replaces Brian Hartline, who left at the end of the season to become the head coach at USF.
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Smith hasn’t had a job in college since 2010 though and is coming off a mediocre two-year run as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Prior to that, he was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for three years, going 7-10 in all three of his seasons before being fired.
The Mockery
College football fans have largely ridiculed the move, declaring that Smith will be a failure for the Buckeyes and might even prompt star players like Jeremiah Smith to transfer.
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“Damn Miami really did break OSU,” one user mocked.
“Welcome to South Bend Jeremiah Smith,” a Notre Dame fan wrote.
“Ohio state WRs are SICK right now. Dude is allergic to airing it out,” wrote a third.
“What actually is the appeal of this guy? He’s never done anything anywhere.”
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 29: Head Coach Arthur Smith of the Atlanta Falcons looks on before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)Justin Ford/Getty Images
(Justin Ford/Getty Images)
If it makes Buckeyes fans feel any better though, the team was ridiculed in 2024 for hiring Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator, only for Kelly to deliver a national championship. The following year they hired Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator, who delivered a perfect regular season record and a nation-leading defense that averaged less than 10 points allowed per game.
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Like Smith, both hires were criticized in large part for their unmitigated failures as NFL head coaches.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.