The Tennessee Titans’ list of head coaching candidates includes Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
The Titans have asked to speak with Smith, who found success in two seasons as the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2019-20, orchestrating an offense then led by Derrick Henry. According to The Tennessean, the Titans have also sought to interview 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
“Anything like that is a distraction,” Smith said Thursday. “All of my focus is on our guys, these guys. Anything I take away from that is not doing my job. So, all I care about is the Steelers.”
Smith, a Memphis native in his second season with the Steelers, was the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach from 2021-23.
In Pittsburgh, Smith has led an offense that ranks 22nd in passing yards and 26th in rushing while winning the AFC North division title. The Steelers host the Houston Texans in a wild card game Monday night at Acrisure Stadium.
NFL rules prohibit the Titans from interviewing Smith until three days after the game.
“That’s not something I’m going to focus on because the only thing that matters is my current job,” Smith said.
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In 2020, Smith oversaw a Titans offense that ranked second in rushing behind Henry, who became the eighth rusher in league history to top 2,000 yards. Henry’s 2,027 rushing yards rank fifth all-time among single-season totals.
The Titans fired coach Brian Callahan in October after a 1-5 start.
