The Pittsburgh Steelers recently made a significant move by reportedly hiring Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. This decision didn't come easy, as there was intense competition for Smith's services from various NFL teams.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin coaching a regular season game.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin played a crucial role in ensuring that Smith joined the team's coaching staff, preventing him from heading to Tampa Bay for an interview. In this article, we'll delve into the timeline leading up to Smith's hiring, the efforts made by Tomlin, and the reasons behind this "big time hire."
Smith, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, found himself at a crossroads in his coaching career after he was fired. He decided to take a break and traveled to the Maldives with his wife to reset and contemplate his next career move. During this time, the interest in Smith from NFL teams grew rapidly.
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Albert Breer gives his thoughts on the Steelers' new hire, Arthur Smith.
Albert Breer reported the timeline of how the Steelers landed Smith leading up to his hiring and the waning moments prior that almost saw him heading to Tampa for an interview. Breer was adamant in his praise for the hire, calling the decision to bring Smith on board a big-time hire. He delved into depth to discuss exactly what went into the hiring process and the factors that ultimately led to Smith joining the Steelers.
“Smith actually had traveled to the Maldives for a little reset with his wife, as he considered his plans to restart his career after being fired in Atlanta. As they were away, interest intensified with a half-dozen teams reaching out to talk to him about coming aboard as an assistant.”
Smith had specific criteria for his next coaching destination.
“Smith wanted to go to a place that would offer stability, and a chance to learn from the head coach, and Pittsburgh offered both of those things. So he gave Mike Tomlin his word that the Steelers would be his first visit after returning from the Indian Ocean.”
Pittsburgh, with its storied history and Tomlin at the helm, seemed like the ideal fit for Smith. Smith will now have the chance to learn from one of the NFL's greatest coaches in Tomlin. During his 17 seasons as the Steelers head coach, Tomlin has never endured a losing season.
Steelers Were Not Letting Arthur Smith Leave The Building
Tomlin and the Steelers were determined to secure Smith as their offensive coordinator. They didn't want to even give him the chance to talk with another team. It was evident that the interest in Smith was high and the Steelers felt like they had to show their hand.
“He met with Tomlin on Monday and into Tuesday, with plans to travel to Tampa on Tuesday night and interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC job. But with Smith’s run-game ingenuity, overall offensive creativity, and work with quarterbacks, the Steelers and Tomlin saw the fit, and then worked to make sure he wouldn’t get on the plane to Florida.”
With Smith showing interest in the Steelers, Tomlin and the organization acted swiftly to ensure that he wouldn't board that plane to Florida for the interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their commitment to making Smith part of the Steelers' coaching staff was clear, and they made the necessary moves to secure his commitment.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers' new OC, Arthur Smith.
Despite initial backlash from some Steelers fans about the hire of Smith, it's essential to recognize his impressive track record as an offensive coordinator. Smith's experience and innovative approach to offense made him a sought-after candidate in the NFL. Many experts and analysts are excited about this hire for the Steelers, and there's a valid reason for optimism in Pittsburgh as they look forward to the impact Smith will make on their offense.
The Steelers' decision to bring Smith on board as their new offensive coordinator was not without its challenges. However, thanks to the strategic efforts of Tomlin and the organization, they successfully secured Smith's commitment and prevented him from interviewing with the Buccaneers.
With Smith's impressive track record and the promise of innovative offensive strategies, Steeler Nation has reasons to be optimistic about the future of their team's offense under his guidance.
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