Mike Tomlin wasn’t the only coach who left the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. The team parted ways with most of his staff, including offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. He joined the Steelers in that role in 2024. Although he had issues, Smith helped improve Pittsburgh’s offense. Now, he has returned to the college level, becoming the offensive coordinator at Ohio State. Smith recently revealed what made him take this job.

“First, most importantly, was the respect I have for Coach [Ryan] Day,” Smith said Tuesday via Eleven Warriors’ YouTube channel. “He reached out, we had a good conversation, came down here and spent some time with him, weighed my options.

“I’ve had such a good experience with some of the players that have come through here that I’ve gotten the privilege to coach. Talked to a lot of people, including Mike Vrabel, who was a great Buckeye, great friend of mine. It just made sense.”

Vrabel played at Ohio State from 1993 to 1996, and then coached there from 2011 to 2013. While Ohio State is different today than when he was there, he still has much experience there. He and Smith coached together with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2020, so it makes sense that Vrabel would give him all the details he has on Ohio State.

Smith also talked to other sources, including some Ohio State alumni whom he coached with the Steelers.

“I talked to Will [Howard] a good amount. I talked to Justin [Fields], Jack [Sawyer], guys that have played here.”

The Steelers drafted Howard and Sawyer last year, so they’re very familiar with Day’s version of Ohio State. The two of them were key parts of the team’s 2024 National Championship victory. Therefore, they likely had much valuable information for their former coach.

Fields was at Ohio State from 2019-2020, Day’s first two years as the team’s head coach. Smith coached Fields on the Steelers in 2024, and the two seemingly had a good relationship. There were even reports that Smith wanted Fields to keep the starting job over Russell Wilson.

Clearly, all of those players (and Vrabel) painted a picture good enough to entice Smith to join Ohio State. The move was a little surprising, though. Smith interviewed for some NFL offensive coordinator and head coach openings. Although most teams passed him up, it seemed like he’d stick in the NFL rather than return to college, where he hadn’t coached since 2010.

Smith confirmed that returning to college coaching wasn’t on his radar, but this situation was the best fit.

“Not really. Just weighed my options. The way the season ended abruptly, and Coach Tomlin stepped away. We had just been in the playoffs. It hits you fast in these cycles. But Coach Day was awesome.”

While Smith didn’t expect this as his next step, perhaps it will be for the best in the long run. Former NFL head coach Chip Kelly was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2024, and he parlayed that into an NFL return. Perhaps Smith will do something similar.