Aaron Rodgers News: Arthur Smith Has 21-Year Veteran Impressed With His Scheme, Declares Love for Steelers' OC's Flexible Offense 1 Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Green Bay Packers: Steelers OC leaves for Buckeyes gig in wake of Mike McCarthy hiring

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 9:52 PM ET

Hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers leaked the hiring of former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith reportedly reached an agreement with Ohio State, marking his return to college football for the first time since 2010. McCarthy and the Steelers will now need to find a replacement, while Smith takes over as OC for one of the college game’s premier powerhouses.

Smith returns to college in major legacy-building opportunity

After his second season in Pittsburgh, Smith was already seeking a way out but failed to land a job with either the Chargers, as a coordinator, or in Arizona, as a head coach. Los Angeles hired ex-Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. The Cardinals remain, as it were, “headless.”

Smith has not coached in college since 2010 at Ole Miss, where he spent a single season as a defensive intern. He kicked off his career in 2006 as a graduate assistant at North Carolina, then joined the Washington Redskins staff. Those are his only two seasons at the college level.

Prior to joining the Steelers, Smith served as head coach in Atlanta from 2021-23, where he went 21-30 before being fired after three seasons. He previously served as offensive coordinator for the Titans (2016-18). His new position at Ohio State is arguably his most prominent role since his Falcons stint.

McCarthy, who called plays during his time with both the Cowboys and Packers, could assume play-calling duties in Pittsburgh next season. The Steelers might be better served, however, by hiring a more modern-minded coordinator instead. In today’s NFL of ever-younger head coaches, McCarthy is already an older hire at 62.

Mike Tomlin, the man he replaces, is still just 53 after 19 seasons at the helm.

Whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers rejoins McCarthy in Pittsburgh for a final season is uncertain. Rodgers, who cited Tomlin as a reason he chose the Steelers in 2025, has not announced if he will continue playing and if so, whether he would prefer to remain in Pittsburgh or go elsewhere.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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