Introduction
Arthur William Smith (born May 27, 1982) is an American football coach who is currently the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He has also been an assistant coach for North Carolina, Ole Miss, and the Washington Redskins.
Early years
Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 27, 1982. Smith went to high school at Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland. There he played on the offensive line and was team captain. He also saw some action at defensive tackle. He also participated in track, lacrosse, and basketball. In his high school career, Smith was a first-team all-state selection at offensive line, two-time all-conference, and first-team All-Metro by the Washington Post.
College career
Smith was a guard for North Carolina from 2001 to 2005. He was a redshirt freshman in 2001. Smith only played in a single game for the 2002 season as he was diagnosed with a foot problem and did not play the remainder of the season. Smith had foot surgery in January 2003 and missed the entire 2003 season. Smith saw little action in 2004 and in 2005. After graduating in 2006, Smith became a graduate assistant for North Carolina.
Coaching career
Washington Redskins
Smith became the defensive quality control coach for the Washington Redskins in 2007. He would stay at that position through 2008.
Ole Miss
Smith was hired as a defensive intern and administrative assistant for Ole Miss in 2010.
Tennessee Titans
Smith was hired to become the defensive quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2011 under new head coach Mike Munchak. Smith then became the offensive quality coach for the 2012 season. He was promoted to the assistant offensive line and assistant tight ends coach in 2013. Munchak was fired after the 2013 season and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt retained Smith as the assistant tight ends coach. Mid-way through the 2015 season, Whisenhunt was fired and replaced by tight ends coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey was kept as head coach for the 2016 season and so was Smith as the new tight ends coach. When Mularkey was fired after the 2017 season, new head coach Mike Vrabel kept Smith as the tight ends coach for 2018. On January 21, 2019, Smith was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Matt LaFleur, who departed to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers two weeks prior.
Personal life
Smith's father is FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith. Smith and his wife, Allison, have three children, Tanner, Sophie, and William "Liam". He has eight siblings.