Steelers' Arthur Smith's Destiny Was A Path Here Forged By Former Pittsburgh Offensive Coordinators

The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired their new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, and the reactions have been mixed. Some seem to think it is a terrible hire, and then there are those who think he will bring just what the Steelers' offense needs. The biggest knock against Smith comes because he seemingly failed as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for the past three seasons. They went 7-10 each season. and many think that he was unable to develop new talent, or appropriately utilize the players he had. 

On the other hand, maybe taking over as a head coach was more than he could handle. Maybe he needs more time as a coordinator, and now he will get that chance in Pittsburgh. Two former Steelers offensive coordinators, Ken Whisenhunt and Mike Mularkey spoke out in favor of Smith. The tale they tell shows that Smith's whole career has been forged by former Steelers staff.      

Smith was hired by the Falcons as their head coach because he had done an outstanding job for the Tennessee Titans as offensive coordinator. During his time in Tennessee, he helped elevate the gameplay of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry. He created a powerful offense that ranked third in total yards per game with 396.4 and fourth in points per game with 30.7 in 2020. That same season, Henry led the league with 2,027 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Tannehill was ranked fifth in passer rating at 106.5 and tied for seventh in touchdowns with 33. 

While it might feel like Smith is new and unfamiliar to the Steelers, the reality is that his whole career was molded by former Pittsburgh staff, including Whisenhunt and Mularkey. 

Steelers' Arthur Smith And Pittsburgh: The Six Degrees of Separation

In a recent article by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac, Dulac spoke with both Whisenhunt and Mularkey. The two former coordinators told him a tale about a young offensive mind who made his way through the league with help, at least in part, from coaches who are connected to Pittsburgh. Smith was either hired or promoted by four different Steelers since he began coaching in the NFL in 2011. 

Dulac said that Smith has been linked to Pittsburgh all along and probably didn't even realize it. It all started for him when Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak, who would later go on to be the Steelers offensive line coach, gave Smith a shot as a defensive quality control coach. When Munchak was fired in 2013, Whisenhunt took over as head coach and kept Smith on his staff. Mularkey was also on the Titans staff and promoted Smith. 

When Mularkey left Tennessee, he felt so strongly about Smith's talent, he called his replacement, Mike Vrabel. Vrabel played for the Steelers and he hired Smith as his offensive coordinator. Smith went on to help the Titans develop a successful offense. 

"I saw where Mike [Vrabel] was looking outside the building [for an offensive coordinator] and I called him and said, 'Be careful what you wish for; you might have the coordinator right there on your staff," said Mularkey recalling his talk with Vrabel. "I thought Arthur was ready for that role."

Fast forward to the Steelers hiring Smith and it felt like it happened very fast. They interviewed him Saturday and reached an agreement by Monday, on what will likely be a three-year contract. Whisenhunt, who was the Steelers offensive coordinator for three seasons and left in 2007 to become the Arizona Cardinals head coach, thinks that he is a great replacement for the fired Matt Canada.  

"After having been a head coach, he's seen a lot of different things. He understands what he's up against in terms of preparing and calling plays. You're bringing in a guy who can help stabilize the quarterback position. I think he'll fit in well here," said Whisenhunt.

Mularkey said that the Steelers can expect to see a lot of what Smith did in Tennessee. He said there will be multiple groupings, formations, shifts, and motions. Smith runs a more simplified clean, run/play-action pass-heavy offense, but it will still have a lot going on in an attempt to throw opposing defenses off. 

He also thinks that Steelers fans will appreciate the way Smith runs a very physical offense. Mularkey said he isn't sure if he has always been that way or if he picked it up from him, but loves smashmouth football.

"If one of them [defenders] makes a mistake, they'll pay for it. It's all about the physical part, beating the guy across from you into a pulp. That's what he believes in."

Mularkey isn't the only former connection who is happy to see that Tomlin took a chance on Smith. Whisenhunt shared similar sentiments and told Dulac how thrilled he is for him and the Steelers. 

"I was happy to see he got that with the Steelers. He really worked hard as a young coach to learn and try to be better. He did that with me and with what I saw with Mularkey. We've stayed in touch. He's a smart guy who has done a good job. I'm excited for him," said Whisenhunt.

These are huge endorsements from former coaches that the majority of Steelers fans respect and trust. The common sentiment seems to be that the talent of the offensive group closely matches what he had in Tennessee. He was able to elevate that talent and get the most out of them. One thing is for sure, it surely seems that it was destiny for Smith to make his way to Pittsburgh. 

What do you think about Mularkey and Whisenhunt endorsing Smith? How do you feel about the hire? Click to comment below.

#SteelerNation