The Tennessee Titans are casting an extremely wide net while searching for their next head coach. The Titans are officially up to 18 candidates, with Jonathan Gannon and Brian Daboll as the latest names to emerge. A number of candidates Mike Borgonzi has shown interest in don't have any other interviews set up.
One of those candidates is Pittsburgh Steelers (and former Titans) offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith has a scheduled interview for the Titans' head coaching vacancy. It's Smith's only known interview.
Smith's Steelers were eliminated from the NFL playoffs on Monday, losing 30-6 to the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend. Smith's offense was totally ineffective versus a dominant, elite Texans defense. It sent a clear warning to the Titans ahead of his scheduled interview.
Arthur Smith just showed Titans why they shouldn’t hire him
The Steelers settled for two field goals against the Texans. Smith's offense was an inefficient 2-of-14 on third downs. They were outgained 408-175 by the Texans' offense. Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers went 17-of-33 with 146 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and two turnovers.
The Steelers' running backs combined for 63 yards via just 18 carries. DK Metcalf was held to two receptions and had a critical drop. The players must be held accountable too, but Smith failed to solve Pittsburgh's offensive woes throughout four quarters.
Titans fans obviously remember Smith well. He joined Tennessee in 2011 and remained with the organization until 2020, climbing his way to becoming the offensive coordinator under Mike Vrabel. For a while, Smith had the Titans offense firing on all cylinders with Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith, and a dominant offensive line at his disposal.
Smith hasn't improved his reputation since leaving the Titans though. He went 21-30 in three seasons as the Atlanta Falcons' head coach, though was routinely hamstrung by poor quarterback options. In two years as the Steelers' OC and play caller, his offenses have ranked 15th and 16th in scoring.
Smith will interview with the Titans this week. His offensive showing in Pittsburgh during Wild Card Weekend should give the Titans real pause.