Sports Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRT Featured Columnist IV
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The North Carolina Tar Heels might per chance per chance per chance additionally not be full of life forward with head football coach Mack Brown after the conclusion of the 2024 season, and might per chance per chance per chance be tapping the Pittsburgh Steelers for his replacement with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
“Reality is [UNC] reached out on preliminary name,” Smith said on Thursday, in accordance with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I fancy it, love that dilemma. But that will not be my level of curiosity. I mean I’ve bought one among the most straightforward jobs in football appropriate now. There’s plenty to be said too about [how you] can’t place a value on personal and professional happiness, which I of course in finding right here.” Smith persevered:
I’ve bought an astounding job right here. Be pleased it right here in Pittsburgh. [I] doubtlessly [have] a definite mindset than I had five, four years ago the place any head job, I doubtlessly would’ve walked there to snatch it. Now my perspective’s rather heaps of, and at the same time as you bought something factual treasure I bought right here in Pittsburgh appropriate now, family loves it right here. I treasure the working setting, love being a Steeler. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic first reported Wednesday that “One potentially appealing risk with very solid ties at North Carolina is Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who we hear has some traction with key people in Chapel Hill.”
Smith played at UNC as an offensive lineman and likewise began his coaching occupation as a graduate assistant for the Tar Heels below John Bunting in 2006. He transitioned to the NFL from there as a defensive quality assistant for Washington (2007-08), a defensive intern for Ole Omit (2010) and labored his manner up within the Tennessee Titans coaching workers between 2011-20, in a roundabout draw spending two seasons because the crew’s offensive coordinator.
He then used to be hired to be the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, compiling a 21-30 file with out a playoff appearances. After he used to be fired in Atlanta, Mike Tomlin hired him because the crew’s offensive coordinator this season, and both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in finding regarded improved in his procedure.
Granted, Smith’s offenses in finding by no capability been juggernauts. As a head coach or offensive coordinator, those objects in finding done high-10 in yardage lawful as soon as and high-10 in scoring twice out of six seasons. The Steelers frightful 18th in yardage and 14th in parts this 365 days.
There’s also the interrogate of whether or not he can also be a program-builder on the college level, the place recruiting is arguably as valuable as Xs and Os. Or whether or not he would must leave the NFL within the foremost dilemma.
Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 @BarrettSallee North Carolina is a napping giant within the ACC. It could most likely most likely per chance per chance additionally composed be an annual convention title contender pic.twitter.com/ATA17xqZDY
Kevin Negandhi @KevinNegandhi When @CoachMackBrown came inspire to revive respectability at North Carolina, this system had gained a entire of 5 video games the previous 2 years. In his return @UNCFootball has gained not lower than 6 video games in every season. He’s a HoF coach and an even better human. Valuable decide to Mack and Sally.
North Carolina—which has gone 44-32 in Brown’s 2nd tenure as head coach however has by no capability emerged as a national energy in football—will possible cast a giant fetch in its watch a replacement and “most smartly-hottest to enter the quest market this iciness as a substitute of a 365 days from now, when it be anticipated there shall be more commence Energy 4 jobs and thus more opponents for top candidates,” per Feldman.