Updated Jan. 25, 2026, 7:18 p.m. ET
When the 2026 NFL season begins, almost a third of the league will have a new head coach. 10 teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, have made coaching changes thus far. Former Falcons head coaches Arthur Smith and Raheem Morris have each interviewed with multiple teams throughout the hiring cycle.
While Morris is considered one of three leading candidates for the Arizona Cardinals head coach job, Smith appears to be headed off to college. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ohio State Buckeyes are finalizing a deal to make Smith the new offensive coordinator.
During his three seasons as the head coach of the Falcons, Smith led the team to a 21-30 record. After being fired by Atlanta in 2024, he took a job as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith spent two years in Pittsburgh but became available after Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down.
The deal has yet to be finalized, but the Buckeyes have been looking for an upgrade at offensive coordinator. Smith began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 2006 and spent a year at Ole Miss as a defensive intern/administrative assistant in 2010.
Meanwhile, back in Atlanta, the team has been conducting interviews for its general manager vacancy. Falcons president of football Matt Ryan has interviewed six candidates thus far, including former New York Jets GM Joe Douglas and Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.
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