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Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers OC Arthur Smith could make North Carolina a big winner overnight | TribLIVE.com
Mark Madden, Columnist

Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers OC Arthur Smith could make North Carolina a big winner overnight

Mark Madden
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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith works with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during practice Oct. 16, 2024 at UPMC Rooney Sports Performance Complex.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was contacted by the University of North Carolina about its vacant head coaching position.

When the media queried, Smith said how much he loves his job with the Steelers.

But he didn’t say, “No, I am definitely not taking the job at North Carolina.”

So, we’ll see.

Smith would be a prime get for North Carolina. He’s a perfect fit for the new era of college football.

Never mind Smith’s coaching resume. Smith’s family owns FedEx. His father founded the company and has a net worth of $6 billion.

If daddy acquiesced, that translates to a bottomless pit of NIL money.

That makes Smith, by far, the most qualified candidate for the North Carolina job. Money is what counts most in today’s college football.


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Smith is a North Carolina grad. How much does he love his alma mater? How much FedEx money would be made available to build the program?

With Smith coaching and FedEx paying, North Carolina could absolutely, positively become a big winner overnight. It’s the way college football works.

Smith leaving the Steelers wouldn’t be crippling. Any offensive coordinator’s game plan will be dumbed down by Mike Tomlin. With those handcuffs, one size fits all.

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Categories: Mark Madden Columns | Sports | Steelers/NFL
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