Arthur Smith hired as Pittsburgh Steelers' new offensive coordinator
Smith was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for the past three seasons
Arthur Smith has been hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers' new offensive coordinator, the team announced on Friday.
Smith, 41, spent the last three seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. His tenure ended on Jan. 8 when he was fired after three straight 7-10 seasons that ended without a playoff berth.
Prior to his time in Atlanta, Smith was part of the Tennessee Titans' organization for 10 years, where he served as an assistant coach before taking over as offensive coordinator in his final two seasons.
The Titans posted their highest scoring season in 16 years after Smith took over the offense in 2019, led by rushing champion Derrick Henry and the play of Ryan Tannehill, who was named starter after six games.
Smith will take over for Matt Canada, who was relieved of his duties after Week 11, the first time the Steelers made an in-season coaching change since 1941. Smith will lead an offense that finished 25th in total yards per game (304.3), 28th in points per game (17.9).
One of the biggest tasks ahead for Smith will be fixing Kenny Pickett, who will be playing in his fourth NFL season in 2024. Pickett suffered an ankle injury on Dec. 3 and lost his starting job for the rest of the season and for the Steelers' only playoff game to Mason Rudolph.
“Obviously, he does need to take another step,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said Monday of Pickett. “That's an important component of the next [offensive] coordinator, making sure he helps Kenny take the next step."