The Pittsburgh Steelers have one assistant coach on their 2025 coaching staff with head coaching experience — offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Similar to last year, the Steelers will likely have to deal with the threat of losing Smith to a new head coaching opportunity this upcoming offseason.
On Monday night, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport floated Smith as a “name to watch” in the Tennessee Titans head coach opening.
The Steelers offensive coordinator possesses strong roots to the Titans and state of Tennessee. Smith coached with the Titans from 2011-20, rising the coaching ranks from quality control coach to offensive coordinator.
Smith, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, then gained experience as a head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-23. He’s been the Steelers offensive coordinator the past two years.
The Titans have an opening at head coach after firing Brian Callahan just six games into his second season. Callahan posted a 4-19 record as Tennessee’s head coach.
Tennessee fired Callahan on Monday. Rapoport named Smith and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy the two coaches “to watch” with the Titans opening.
Arthur Smith’s NFL Coaching Resume
Rapoport seemed to be suggesting Smith and Nagy as possible candidates for the Titans rather than reporting there was actual interest. But connecting Smith to Tennessee makes a ton of sense.
After beginning his NFL coaching career with the then Washington Redskins and a couple college programs, Smith joined the Titans coaching staff under Mike Munchak. During Smith’s tenure in Tennessee, he survived multiple head coaching changes to serve under four different head coaches.
Smith coached tight ends and the offensive line before becoming offensive coordinator under Mike Vrabel in 2019. During that season, the Titans advanced to the AFC championship game.
In two seasons with Smith as offensive coordinator, Tennessee had a top three rushing offense. Former top 10 selected quarterback Ryan Tannehill also revitalized his career in Smith’s offense.
During his two seasons as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, the Steelers haven’t been overly impressive statistically. But Smith’s units have suited the team’s overall philosophy — run the ball, limit mistakes and score off turnovers.
Now 22 games into Smith’s tenure, the Steelers have posted winning records with three different starting quarterbacks.
In Atlanta, Smith posted a 21-30 record as head coach. The Falcons went 7-10 in all three of his seasons.
Mike Tomlin’s Steelers Coaching Tree
Pundits linked Smith to multiple different head coach openings, including in college, last year. It seems as if it’s only a matter of time until Smith lands another head coaching opportunity.
If he leaves for that chance directly after being the Steelers offensive coordinator, he will be the first assistant under Mike Tomlin to do so.
No assistant under Tomlin has ever departed the Steelers directly to become a head coach.
Bruce Arians served as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator under Tomlin from 2007-11. Arians was actually Tomlin’s first OC, and he was in that role when the team earned two Super Bowl berths.
But the Steelers didn’t retain Arians following the 2011 season. Arians then became Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator and interim head coach before becoming the Arizona Cardinals head coach.
With Smith’s previous head coaching experience, he might not count as a branch on Tomlin’s coaching tree for some pundits. But at least Tomlin would have some type of bud on his tree.
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