PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is in his first season with the franchise, but many see him as a potential candidate for a head coaching position.

North Carolina fired head coach Mack Brown on November 26 after he initially stated he wanted to continue with the program. On3’s Andy Staples announced his top candidates to replace Brown and chose Smith as one of them.

Staples noted his connection to UNC, serving as the program’s guard from 2001 to 2005 and would serve as a graduate assistant in 2006. His father, Frederick W. Smith, also founded FedEx and could be considered a zero-money source.

“Smith played at North Carolina from 2001 to 2005 before becoming an assistant under John Bunting,” Staples wrote. “He then embarked on an NFL coaching career that led to a head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons, where he posted a 21-30 record from 2021-23. Smith landed with the Steelers this season, where he juggled Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.” At quarterback, Smith is the son of FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith. In the great quest for zero cash for businesses in the age of revenue sharing, this could be a real connection.

Shortly after North Carolina, Smith got his first NFL job, working as a defensive quality control coach for the Washington Redskins for two seasons from 2007 to 2008.

He spent one more season in the college ranks, as a defensive intern/administrative assistant for Ole Miss in 2010, before returning to the NFL.

Smith spent the next 10 seasons working for the Tennessee Titans in various roles. He was defensive quality control coach in 2011, offensive quality control coach in 2012, offensive line coach in 2013, assistant tight ends coach for two seasons (2014 and 2015), tight ends coach for three seasons from 2016 to 2018, and offensive coordinator for two seasons in 2019 and 2020.

He then landed his first head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons, where he served for three seasons, finishing 7-10 in each season before the franchise released him after 2023.

Smith has improved the Steelers’ offense since taking over this season, with the team performing better in points, total yards, passing yards and rushing yards per game.

Steelers wide receiver George Pickens ranks sixth in the NFL with 776 receiving yards and running back Najee Harris ranks 13th in the league with 749 rushing yards.

While Smith’s connection to North Carolina doesn’t hold much significance, it’s something Steelers fans will have to watch out for if Smith decides to leave and lead his alma mater.

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