After a long search, the Ohio State football program decided to bring in Arthur Smith as its offensive coordinator. He is a former head coach with the Atlanta Falcons and left the Pittsburgh Steelers to become the OC in Columbus. With him on staff, the Buckeyes have two former NFL head coaches as their coordinators.
Smith will bring a different kind of offensive philosophy than fans are used to under Ryan Day. Smith has run offenses that have emphasized the run with the Titans, Falcons, and the Steelers. Day's offenses have used the passing game as the primary way to move the ball.
Mike Vrabel, a former Buckeye football player in his own right, coached with Smith in Tennessee. Smith was his offensive coordinator. While at the NFL Combine, Vrabel gave everyone a scouting report on what the Ohio Buckeyes can expect from Smith while he runs the offense.
Mike Vrabel lets Ohio State football fans know what to expect from Arthur Smith
Vrabel let it be known that he loves it that Smith is in Columbus.
"I'm excited for him to be in Columbus. Obviously, that place means a lot to me, personally, and my family...I think Arthur's got a physicality to him, a toughness to him that he wants to put on the football field offensively. He's creative enough; he's worked with a number of different players that, I think they enjoy some of the wrinkles that he has. He's got some cool concepts that he enjoys, and he's always been an aggressive play-caller."
Ohio State fans are used to aggressive play-calling. That's what Day did when he was calling plays himself once he took over as head coach. At times, he was actually too aggressive. He would go for it to the detriment of the offense on fourth-down, which kept them from winning some games.
Smith will have plenty of talent at the receiver position next year that he needs to utilize. Jeremiah Smith is the best player he has at his disposal, so he needs to find creative ways to get him the football. Vrabel has a lot of respect for him, so that should be enough for Buckeye fans.