The Ohio State football team has two former NFL head coaches as its coordinators for this season. Matt Patricia decided to return to the defense after putting up great numbers last year. He had the defense putting up the best stats in the country a year after Jim Knowles had them doing the same.
With Brian Hartline now at USF, the Buckeyes decided to bring in Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator. He will call plays after leaving the Steelers as their OC. With a new head coach in Pittsburgh, Smith needed to find a new home for the 2026 season.
Ultimately, Smith decided to come to Columbus. He had other options, but he decided to come back to the college game and coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes. On Tuesday, Smith was asked why he decided to choose Ohio State, and his answer was enlightening.
Arthur Smith chose to coach at Ohio State in order to coach the best
Smith made it clear that he wants to coach the best players in the country, and that's why he decided to head to Ohio State. He also made it clear that Ryan Day played a large part, as well.
Arthur Smith said he wanted to come to Ohio State because of Ryan Day and the players the Buckeyes have sent to the NFL in recent years. Smith talked with Mike Vrabel before accepting the OC job.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) March 24, 2026
“It just made sense,” Smith said.
With a dynamite coaching staff, the Buckeyes are hoping to navigate a brutal schedule next year. After finishing 2025 in the most disappointing way possible, the Buckeyes are looking to win a national championship again in 2026. If they accomplish that, that would mean four straight national titles for the Big Ten.
Ohio State is determined to protect Julian Sayin better than they did last year. They have four returning starters on the offensive line, so they want to keep him upright enough to throw to the great receivers that they have on the outside. Smith's system is going to be a key part of them getting that done.
It's a new era for the Buckeyes on offense, and they feel great about it.