Arthur Smith (American football, born 1982)

Arthur Smith
refer to caption
Smith with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Offensive coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1982-05-27) May 27, 1982
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Career information
High school:Georgetown Prep
(North Bethesda, Maryland)
College:North Carolina (2001–2005)
Career history
As a coach:
Head coaching record
Regular season:21–30 (.412)
Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference

Arthur William Smith (born May 27, 1982) is an American professional football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023 and an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans in the 2010s.

Early life and college

Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 27, 1982. His father is FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith.[1]

Smith attended Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, where he played on the offensive line and was team captain. He also saw some action at defensive tackle. Smith also participated in track, lacrosse, and basketball. In his high school career, Smith was a first-team all-state selection at offensive line, two-time all-conference, and first-team All-Metro by The Washington Post.[2]

Smith was a guard for North Carolina from 2001 to 2005. He was a redshirt freshman in 2001. Smith only played in a single game for the 2002 season as he was diagnosed with a foot problem and did not play the remainder of the season. Smith had foot surgery in January 2003 and missed the entire 2003 season. Smith saw little action in 2004 and in 2005.

Coaching career

Early career

After graduating in 2006, Smith became a graduate assistant for North Carolina.[2]

Smith began his NFL coaching career in 2007, when he became the defensive quality control coach for the Washington Redskins. His father, FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, was a minority owner of the team, gifted Arthur the job because Frederick felt like he was not there for his son enough growing up. Smith would stay at that position through 2008.[3]

In 2010, Smith was hired as a defensive intern and administrative assistant for Ole Miss.

Tennessee Titans

Smith in 2019

Smith was hired to become the defensive quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2011 under new head coach Mike Munchak. Smith then became the offensive quality coach the following season.

In 2013, Smith was promoted to the assistant offensive line and assistant tight ends coach. Munchak was fired after the 2013 season and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt retained Smith as the assistant tight ends coach. Mid-way through the 2015 season, Whisenhunt was fired and replaced by tight ends coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey was kept as head coach for the 2016 season and so was Smith as the new tight ends coach. When Mularkey was fired after the 2017 season, new head coach Mike Vrabel kept Smith as the tight ends coach for 2018.[4]

On January 21, 2019, Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Matt LaFleur, who departed to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers two weeks prior.[5][6] In his first year as offensive coordinator, Smith oversaw the highest-scoring Titans team in 16 years, with Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and Jonnu Smith having career years. Smith was praised for his play-calling in the Titans' 28–12 road victory over the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.[7][8] In 2020, the Titans ranked fourth in scoring and second in total yards.[9]

Atlanta Falcons

On January 15, 2021, Smith was hired to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.[10] On September 12, 2021, Smith lost in his head coaching debut against the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 32–6. Two weeks later, Smith received his first career win as a head coach in a 17–14 victory over the New York Giants. The Falcons finished third in the NFC South with a 7–10 record and did not qualify for the playoffs.[11]

In his second season, Smith led the Falcons to another 7–10 record as the team finished fourth in the NFC South and did not qualify for the playoffs.[12] Smith was widely criticized by various media outlets throughout the 2023 season for failing to utilize highly drafted players such as tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson. The Falcons finished the season with their third consecutive 7–10 record under Smith.[13] This also extended the Falcons streak of missing the playoffs to six straight seasons, resulting in Smith's firing on January 8, 2024.[14][15][16]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Smith in 2025

On February 2, 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Smith to be their new offensive coordinator.[17]

In 2024, the Steelers achieved 5.02 yards per play, a slight decrease from 2023 with 5.3.[18][19] The offense produced 317.2 yards per game, ranking them 23rd in the NFL and scored an average of 22.4 points per game. Between quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, there were 21 total touchdown passes, an increase from 13 the previous season.[20] Under Smith, tight end Pat Freiermuth led the team in touchdown receptions with seven.[21]

Ahead of the 2025 season, the Steelers offense underwent several changes including making new additions such as revamping their quarterback room by acquiring Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph as well as drafting running back Kaleb Johnson. The team also acquired former Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, who previously played under Smith with the Titans from 2017 to 2020.[22]

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
ATL 2021 7 10 0 .412 3rd in NFC South — — — —
ATL 2022 7 10 0 .412 4th in NFC South — — — —
ATL 2023 7 10 0 .412 3rd in NFC South — — — —
Total 21 30 0 .412 0 0 .000

Personal life

Smith and his wife, Allison, reside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with their three children: Tanner, Sophie, and Liam.[23][24] His paternal grandfather, James Frederick "Fred" Smith, founded the now-defunct Toddle House restaurant chain that served as the inspiration for the modern day Waffle House chain. Smith has nine siblings, including sisters Windland Smith Rice and Molly Smith.

References

  1. ^ Birkett, Dave (December 20, 2020). "Detroit Lions will get up-close look at Titans OC Arthur Smith, a hot head coach candidate". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Arthur Smith bio". GoHeels.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  3. ^ "Former Tar Heel Arthur Smith Coaching In Washington". TarHeelTimes.com. August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Gray, Nicklaus (January 21, 2019). "What to know about new Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith". Tennessean.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  5. ^ Wyatt, Jim (January 21, 2019). "Titans Promote Arthur Smith to Offensive Coordinator". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  6. ^ "Matt LaFleur named Green Bay's 15th head coach". Packers.com. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  7. ^ Kasabian, Paul (January 11, 2020). "Derrick Henry, Titans Stun Lamar Jackson, Ravens; Advance to AFC Championship". BleacherReport.com.
  8. ^ "Mike Vrabel's Dick Deal May Have Already Decided This Year's Super Bowl". January 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "2020 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  10. ^ Tabeek, Matthew (January 15, 2021). "Falcons, Arthur Smith agree to terms to be head coach". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  11. ^ "2021 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  12. ^ "2022 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  13. ^ "2023 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  14. ^ "Atlanta Falcons part ways with head coach Arthur Smith". atlantafalcons.com. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  15. ^ Rothstein, Michael (January 8, 2024). "Atlanta Falcons fire Arthur Smith following 7-10 season". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Patra, Kevin (January 8, 2024). "Falcons fire Arthur Smith as head coach after three seasons". NFL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Varley, Teresa (February 2, 2024). "Smith named Steelers offensive coordinator". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "Steelers Yards Per Play NFL 2023". StatMuse. January 11, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  19. ^ "Steelers Yards Per Play NFL 2024". StatMuse. January 11, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  20. ^ Williamson, Matt (February 5, 2025). "Cheat Sheet: An overview of Steelers 2024 offense". Steelers.com. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  21. ^ "Pat Freiermuth Touchdowns 2024". StatMuse. January 4, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  22. ^ McCown, Rivers (July 23, 2025). "2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Preview: What's the upside in retooled offense?". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  23. ^ Wyatt, Jim (January 21, 2019). "Arthur Smith". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  24. ^ Estes, Gentry (October 31, 2019). "With a new son, Titans coordinator Arthur Smith juggling football and fatherhood". tennessean.com. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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