Arthur Smith Didn’t Say No to the NC Job

[LakecrestSteeler]

From what I have read Arthur Smith has not come out and said I am not taking the job at NCU. This would be a pretty big setback. A lot of non-no no statements.

Is Arthur Smith a guy that wants to be the head honcho?Having a father like Fred Smith might create some prove it issues.

Arthur Smith's work week included a notable phone call from his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, who called the Steelers offensive coordinator about the team's new head coaching vacancy.

Smith, who was an offensive lineman for the Tar Heels, broke into coaching as a graduate assistant on UNC's coaching staff. He summed up the conversation as a "preliminary call" with the Tar Heels, who recently fired longtime coach Mack Brown.

"I appreciate it, love that place," Smith said of UNC, via ESPN. "But that's not my focus. I mean, I've got one of the best jobs in football right now. There's a lot to be said too about [how you] can't put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have here."

Smith is in the middle of his first season with the Steelers, who are currently 8-3 and atop the AFC North division. Pittsburgh's improved offense has played a considerable role in the Steelers' success so far.

The Steelers are currently 14th in the NFL in scoring, up from 28th in the league a year ago. They're currently in position to rank in the top 10 in rushing for the first time since 2007.

"I've got an awesome job here," said Smith, who arrived in Pittsburgh after being the Falcons coach the previous three years. "Love it here in Pittsburgh. probably [have] a different mindset than I had five, four years ago where any head job, I probably would've walked there to take it.

"Now my perspective's different, and when you got something good like I got here in Pittsburgh right now, family loves it here. I like the working environment, love being a Steeler."

[langer]

"Now my perspective's different, and when you got something good like I got here in Pittsburgh right now, family loves it here. I like the working environment, love being a Steeler."

But I sometimes can't take being surrounded by jagoffs and yinzers, and the winters...

[K_C_]

Could this be the beginning of the "Mike Tomlin Coaching Tree" after like 18 years???

[Orangesteel]

Could this be the beginning of the "Mike Tomlin Coaching Tree" after like 18 years???

I read some bozo comment on the internet the other day that Brian Flores is from the Tomlin Coach Tree…can’t make this shit up.

The Tomlin ball washers go to such silly lengths to try and refute the argument. The guy has been a HC for 18 years and straight up has no coaching tree hires.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Smith doesnt seem like a highly motivated individual

Would you want to go to a C level school in the NIL era and have to be a HC and recruiter while trying mostly in vain to beat huge football factories ???

Or

Would you rather be somewhat anonymous and shielded gunning for NHALS and maybe sometimes +1 in Pittsburgh ???

If they back up the Brinks truck he’d leave


Barring that he’s here til death firing or retirement

[K_C_]

Smith doesnt seem like a highly motivated individual

Would you want to go to a C level school in the NIL era and have to be a HC and recruiter while trying mostly in vain to beat huge football factories ???

Or

Would you rather be somewhat anonymous and shielded gunning for NHALS and maybe sometimes +1 in Pittsburgh ???

If they back up the Brinks truck he’d leave


Barring that he’s here til death firing or retirement

Chapel Hill is a Blue Blood basketball school and a quality football program.

They have a ton of resources and could reach the next level with the right coach.

Arthur Smith needs to decide if he wants the workload of a college coach, which isn't only about X's and O's.

Recruiting will take up probably 60% of his time and he will be traveling all over the motherfucking country regularly.

It's a challenge but I will actually be surprised if Smith doesn't take the job.

The only major hold up is money. I'm sure he'd get a raise from what he's making with the Steelers, but UNC would probably have to make him an offer he can't refuse just to make the much heavier workload worth Smith's while.

[SteelerDayTrader]

If they back up the Brinks truck he’d leave

[Ice]

If it's not an SEC or B1G job, it's got slightly limited playoff potential, even if the number of teams in goes up. You can maybe dispute C-tier for an ACC football team that isn't Clemson or Miami, but it's not that far from wrong, and I say that as a Pitt alum.

[gojira5150]

Could this be the beginning of the "Mike Tomlin Coaching Tree" after like 18 years???

Are you trying your new standup routine on us

Just bustin your balls. I know you are not serious

[tbsteel]

Just a thought, but it is kind of wild how I can’t think of a single coach in 18 years that owes Tomlin for their start or taking them under his tutelage.

You’d think in his secure position and based on statements he’s made in the past that Tomlin would have tried to create a breeding ground for young African American coaches who are just needing an opportunity and then letting those dudes spread their wings here. But that hasn’t happened. Not at all.

Easily the strongest argument for the potted plant talk.

[drmalba]

It would be true to form that the first halfway decent OC we've had in years would jet after one season, especially after how aggressively we chased him.

Of course, half of the people here didn't want him here in the first place, so I'm sure its a relief to many on the board he's possibly on his way out, and that tired narratives can be continued.

[955876]

Could this be the beginning of the "Mike Tomlin Coaching Tree" after like 18 years???

I read some bozo comment on the internet the other day that Brian Flores is from the Tomlin Coach Tree…can’t make this shit up.

The Tomlin ball washers go to such silly lengths to try and refute the argument. The guy has been a HC for 18 years and straight up has no coaching tree hires.

They do go to great lengths to prop this fraud up don’t they?

Ummm ya, Brian Flores is from the “Tomlin tree”.

No fucking way. And anyone spewing that nonsense should get called out for it.

Jibba Jabber’s tree is bare and will remain that way.

And no KC, Smith moving on to another gig doesn’t count. Guy was a head coach already in this league for Christ sakes. He isn’t some green coach that came up and learned under Jibbs.

[Jizz Mop]

It would be true to form that the first halfway decent OC we've had in years would jet after one season, especially after how aggressively we chased him.

Of course, half of the people here didn't want him here in the first place, so I'm sure its a relief to many on the board he's possibly on his way out, and the factual narratives that Tomlin truly sucks and is incredibly overrated can be continued.

[drmalba]

Of course, half of the people here didn't want him here in the first place, so I'm sure its a relief to many on the board he's possibly on his way out, and the factual narratives

Right on cue....

[Stosh-67]

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pi ... rolina-job

Arthur says No