One candidate the Cardinals targeted to replace Jonathan Gannon as their head coach can be crossed off the list. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is leaving the NFL to be the offensive coordinator for Ohio State, per multiple reports.
Smith was considered a favorite to be offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans under new head coach Robert Saleh, but he now goes to one of the top programs in college football instead.
Smith was among the first round of candidates the Cardinals had for their head coaching vacancy. It appears he did not move on to the next round.
Where are the Cardinals in their head coaching search?
The Cardinals reportedly have three leading candidates — Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Fleur is believed to be the favorite of the three.
They are one of four teams still searching for a new head coach, along with the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.
The other six teams with vacancies have new head coaches:
- New York Giants: John Harbaugh
- Atlanta Falcons: Kevn Stefanski
- Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
- Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh
- Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arthur Smith lands OC job with Ohio State
