OC Arthur Smith (Official Thread)

[buckeyeintn]

I hated the LJ hire because Penn St
I didn't think Day was the right choice because he'd never done it before, and I didn't think a HC should learn on the job at OSU
I hated the Patricia hire more than the LJ hire because of the reasons I've mentioned

But I also knew Paterno was a fraud way before he pooped his pants, so I got that going for me.

I'm feeling better about the Smith hire by the moment.

That post reminds me of an uncle I had.
If he bought cattle, you knew it was time to get rid of your cows and get into hogs.
If he bought hogs you knew it was time to get into sheep.

 

[ochre]

 

[Thump]

Oh yeah, I'm super stupid for seeing what I think is a bad option and being able to say it's a bad option before spending the energy and time on figuring out the right option. I'm the embodiment of the downfall of society.

GPA!

 

[buckeyebri]

So it's almost like blind faith just because Day is a great coach is kinda dumb, right?

Wait Blind Faith? So, Steve Winwood is on board…..shows self out….

 

[pnuts34]

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ed-across-seven-seasons-as-an-nfl-play-caller

The biggest advantage Smith will have at Ohio State relative to his NFL offenses is the talent he inherits at quarterback and wide receiver. While his best quarterbacks in Atlanta and Pittsburgh were players at the tail end of their careers in Ryan and Rodgers, he’ll enter 2026 with arguably college football’s best quarterback in Julian Sayin, the only one of last year’s Heisman Trophy finalists who’s still playing college football. He’ll also have one of the nation’s most talented receiving corps, led by a superstar in Jeremiah Smith, while most of his NFL offenses had limited depth at wideout.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Amazing how such a great offensive mind has literally always been saddled with garbage parts.

 

[pnuts34]

 

[TDunk]

I'm feeling better about the Smith hire by the moment.

That post reminds me of an uncle I had.
If he bought cattle, you knew it was time to get rid of your cows and get into hogs.
If he bought hogs you knew it was time to get into sheep.

Sounds like your uncle liked getting into animals. YTISWWT.

 

[Buckeye86]

Some interesting points between these two videos, plus some of my own thoughts.

1. Expect the offense under Smith to look a lot like the 2019 offense - heavy zone/stretch run scheme with play action deep shots and boot legs (obviously Sayin is a bit different physically/athletically than Fields, which impacts how much you can or want to do with him running around).
2. Possibly the biggest problem with the Stealers offense this past season was that Rodgers was ineffective throwing the deep ball (plus a lack of threats outside of Metcalf who was just double teamed), which eliminated a major component of how Smith likes to attack a defense.
3.The zone/stretch run scheme puts more stress on a defense deciding between extra defenders covering Smith on one side and covering the stretch run on the other side because there are more possible running lanes that need filled (compared to gap run schemes).
4. It is easier to audible between run plays in a zone/stretch run offense with less pulling from the OL and (theoretically) less things for them to screw up, combined with Sayin in year two, expect him to have more on his plate when it comes to audibles this year.
5. It is without question that Smith has significantly more experience and established effectiveness incorporating TEs and a FB into the offense compared to Hartline, which, based on the portal moves, will continue to be the plan.
6. Day is looking to duplicate the situation he had with Kelly - an OC who can implement effective run game schemes on top of Day’s passing schemes, as well as an experienced guy who can be trusted with game preparation through the week and calling plays on game day. This is basically the opposite of what he had with Hartline last year, and Day made a strong move to correct that.
7. It seems like success on offense will depend on a veteran OL being able to establish an identity and consistent effectiveness zone blocking, with Sayin helping out with effective audibles and stressing the defense down the field (with an emphasis on play action passes).

Seems like a solid plan building on Ohio State’s strengths combined with the expertise of the new OC.

It feels really well thought out with a clear idea of what Day wants that duplicates past successes in 2019 and 2024.

 

[osuvictory1]

Some interesting points between these two videos, plus some of my own thoughts.

1. Expect the offense under Smith to look a lot like the 2019 offense - heavy zone/stretch run scheme with play action deep shots and boot legs (obviously Sayin is a bit different physically/athletically than Fields, which impacts how much you can or want to do with him running around).
2. Possibly the biggest problem with the Stealers offense this past season was that Rodgers was ineffective throwing the deep ball (plus a lack of threats outside of Metcalf who was just double teamed), which eliminated a major component of how Smith likes to attack a defense.
3.The zone/stretch run scheme puts more stress on a defense deciding between extra defenders covering Smith on one side and covering the stretch run on the other side because there are more possible running lanes that need filled (compared to gap run schemes).
4. It is easier to audible between run plays in a zone/stretch run offense with less pulling from the OL and (theoretically) less things for them to screw up, combined with Sayin in year two, expect him to have more on his plate when it comes to audibles this year.
5. It is without question that Smith has significantly more experience and established effectiveness incorporating TEs and a FB into the offense compared to Hartline, which, based on the portal moves, will continue to be the plan.
6. Day is looking to duplicate the situation he had with Kelly - an OC who can implement effective run game schemes on top of Day’s passing schemes, as well as an experienced guy who can be trusted with game preparation through the week and calling plays on game day. This is basically the opposite of what he had with Hartline last year, and Day made a strong move to correct that.
7. It seems like success on offense will depend on a veteran OL being able to establish an identity and consistent effectiveness zone blocking, with Sayin helping out with effective audibles and stressing the defense down the field (with an emphasis on play action passes).

Seems like a solid plan building on Ohio State’s strengths combined with the expertise of the new OC.

It feels really well thought out with a clear idea of what Day wants that duplicates past successes in 2019 and 2024.

Thanks for the breakdown. If it goes well, it may be a awesome season ahead.

The Oline concerns me, but hopefully they can develop them further this offseason.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Urban Meyer gives insight as to how Ohio State will integrate Arthur Smith

The Ohio State football program will have a new offensive coordinator to learn from in 2026. The former Buckeye head coach talks about how it will work.

scarletandgame.com

Urban Meyer gives insight as to how Ohio State will integrate Arthur Smith​

The Ohio State football program will have a new offensive coordinator to learn from in 2026. The former Buckeye head coach talks about how it will work.

The Ohio State football program will have a new offensive coordinator for next season. With Brian Hartline now in Tampa, the Buckeyes needed someone who could come in and call plays. Ryan Day's play-calling against the Hurricanes was a disaster, so they can't let that happen again.

Ultimately, Day decided that Arthur Smith was the right person to come in and coordinate the offense. Smith was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers in each of the last two years. Before that, he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Simply put, he has a wealth of experience and has an idea of how he wants the Buckeyes to play offense. Former coach Urban Meyer gave some insight as to how Day will integrate a new offense for the Ohio State Buckeyes and how smooth the transition will be.

Urban Meyer offers insight to the Ohio State football team's new offense​

While speaking on the Triple Option Podcast, Meyer offered up his take on how Day will mesh his offensive ideas with what Smith wants to do.



"Ryan's pretty well set in his offense. That's the same offense, terminology, we used when I was there. Chip Kelly changed it a little bit because the minute you hire a big-name coordinator, the coordinator is going to run his stuff...I think there's going to be a little bit of a mesh of what he's (Smith) done before."

Smith has a very run-happy offense. He ran that while he was with the Titans, Falcons, and Steelers. Ohio State's offense under Day has been more predicated on the passing game. That's why Jeremiah Smith is one of the best players in the country. Keeping him and Julian Sayin happy will be key.

The Buckeyes need to have a stronger run game to maintain balance, but not at the expense of Smith's touches. Sayin was a Heisman Finalist this past season, and Smith should want to make sure he develops even further. Day is going to make sure that happens.

 

[pnuts34]

Some interesting points between these two videos, plus some of my own thoughts.

1. Expect the offense under Smith to look a lot like the 2019 offense - heavy zone/stretch run scheme with play action deep shots and boot legs (obviously Sayin is a bit different physically/athletically than Fields, which impacts how much you can or want to do with him running around).
2. Possibly the biggest problem with the Stealers offense this past season was that Rodgers was ineffective throwing the deep ball (plus a lack of threats outside of Metcalf who was just double teamed), which eliminated a major component of how Smith likes to attack a defense.
3.The zone/stretch run scheme puts more stress on a defense deciding between extra defenders covering Smith on one side and covering the stretch run on the other side because there are more possible running lanes that need filled (compared to gap run schemes).
4. It is easier to audible between run plays in a zone/stretch run offense with less pulling from the OL and (theoretically) less things for them to screw up, combined with Sayin in year two, expect him to have more on his plate when it comes to audibles this year.
5. It is without question that Smith has significantly more experience and established effectiveness incorporating TEs and a FB into the offense compared to Hartline, which, based on the portal moves, will continue to be the plan.
6. Day is looking to duplicate the situation he had with Kelly - an OC who can implement effective run game schemes on top of Day’s passing schemes, as well as an experienced guy who can be trusted with game preparation through the week and calling plays on game day. This is basically the opposite of what he had with Hartline last year, and Day made a strong move to correct that.
7. It seems like success on offense will depend on a veteran OL being able to establish an identity and consistent effectiveness zone blocking, with Sayin helping out with effective audibles and stressing the defense down the field (with an emphasis on play action passes).

Seems like a solid plan building on Ohio State’s strengths combined with the expertise of the new OC.

It feels really well thought out with a clear idea of what Day wants that duplicates past successes in 2019 and 2024.

 

[Jaxbuck]

So as I watched the Steelers this year I made the comment to my son that while their offense sucked, they had no talent (or very old talent) and I was actually kind of impressed on how they made something out of nothing.

It was all screens, check downs and wheel routes to Gainwell or throws to the two good TE's they had (one broke his arm). Metcalf was almost never open because they had no 2nd or 3rd WR threat.

My point is there are elements of that I was thinking to myself sure would look nice as the changeup to the Ryan Day fastball. Next year we will see if my wish came true or not I guess.

It may be overly simplistic but I'm thinking you take a high gear big time downfield passing attack and give it the lower gear of a solid "short game" and maybe we get past the RZ issues if nothing else.

All in all I don't hate it but I don't know enough to love or hate it so whatever. We win next year he's a fucking genius, lose and he's a bum. That I am sure of.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I'm all for it, but I also really want to see mid-field crossing patterns hitting our guys in stride. We basically have Jerry Rice. Who's going to be able to cover/stop him on a slant? Of course, that's predicated on having a QB without midfield visual agnosia.