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How mutual connections led Arthur Smith to Ohio State football

Published

3 weeks ago

March 24, 2026

How mutual connections led Arthur Smith to Ohio State football

Arthur Smith had only limited familiarity with Ryan Day before being hired as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator over the winter.

He had spent the past decade in the NFL. Their interactions were largely confined to the school’s annual pro day when Smith and other coaches and front office personnel from the league descended upon the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to scout prospects for the draft.

“I didn’t know him really well personally,” Smith said.

But Smith’s recent years offered a unique window into Day and his program, deepening a level of respect he held from afar. During his two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, he coached Justin Fields and Will Howard, two former starting quarterbacks for Day at Ohio State.

The mutual connections extended to previous stops. When Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, they drafted defensive end Zach Harrison and traded for cornerback Jeff Okudah in 2023. Both played for Day as well.

“I’ve had such a good experience with some of the players that have come through,” Smith said, “so I was intrigued.”

Smith had not coached in college since 2010, when he was an administrative assistant and intern at Mississippi, and spent little time in recent years considering a return.

But Mike Tomlin’s sudden resignation as the Steelers coach in January left Smith exploring his options.

“We had just been in the playoffs,” Smith said. “It kind of hits you fast in these cycles.”

It allowed him time to give the opportunity at Ohio State a closer look.

“I weighed my options and talked to a lot of people,” Smith said. “It just made sense.”

His list also included Mike Vrabel, the former All-America defensive end for the Buckeyes in the 1990s who also vouched for Day. Smith was on Vrabel’s staffs with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-20, including two seasons as their offensive coordinator.

“He knows Ryan really well,” Smith said, “and gave me the whole picture. I know from afar, because I love the history of this game, and understand how important this place is in football.”

The hiring of Smith marked another offseason in which Day found a coordinator steeped with NFL experience.

It was last year when Day brought in Matt Patricia, a former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots and head coach of the Detroit Lions, and branded him as the head coach of the defense.

Smith arrives with a similar stature on the other side of the ball, enabling Day to continue delegating play-calling for the offense, a role he once held following his promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach in 2019.

“Arthur seemed like the right fit,” Day said.

His background is part of that, adding another coordinator with head-coaching experience in the NFL to the staff.

“You understand what happens in that office and comes across his desk,” Smith said. “You’re a little more empathetic, and you try to your job really well, so you can take that stress off and he doesn’t have to worry about the unit responsibility he gives you.

“It’s a big part of your job, because there’s a lot that goes into that job besides just coaching on the field.”

In his two months with the Buckeyes, Smith has taken to the program, seeing the immense pressure surrounding Ohio State as similar to his time in the NFL.

“You don’t go to Ohio State if you don’t welcome those expectations,” Smith said. “It’s the same thing in the NFL. You have an expectation to win every Sunday, and you love that challenge as a competitor. It kind of gets you going as a coach.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.

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Joseph D. Schiavone, Youngstown, Ohio

Published

1 hour ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph D. Schiavone, 85, Co-Owner and operator of Schiavone Funeral Home, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on April 11, 1941, in Youngstown, to his parents Joseph Schiavone and Louise Massaro Schiavone.

A band member and 1959 graduate of Ursuline High School, Joe pursued higher education earnestly, earning an Associate Degree from Youngstown State University and completing his studies at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1962.

His professional journey began with a one-year apprenticeship at the Schiavone Funeral Home, followed by a year of dedicated service in Tiltonsville, Ohio, eventually returning to Youngstown where he continued his career with distinction.

Joe was known not only of his commitment to his work but also for his entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in his passionate pursuit of vintage automobiles. At the young age of sixteen, he built his first car, a 1932 Ford Coupe, igniting a lifelong enthusiasm for street rods, European classics, and unique American automobiles. His remarkable collection earned him various awards and recognition within the car enthusiast community. Joe was affectionately known as “Mr. Fix It” among family and friends, a testament to his skill and ability to solve most problems.

Joe enjoyed the simple things in life, such as working outside and woodworking, along with his love of “oldies” music. These hobbies complemented his personality, often times enriching the lives of those around him.

He was a nominee for the Brier Hill Man of the Year in 2026, a testament to his profound impact on and contributions to his community where he was a dedicated and contributing member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church.

Family was a central part of Joe’s life. He is survived by his two sons, Brian J. Schiavone (Thu T. Ngo) of Chicago, Illinois, and Edward J. Schiavone of Menlo Park, California; his daughter Elaina L. Schiavone of Youngstown; his three cherished granddaughters, Maleah K. Schiavone of Columbus, Liliana M. Schiavone of Youngstown, and Sophia L. Schiavone of Chicago, Illinois. He is also remembered fondly by his sister, Marie A. Lorubbio, his brother John D. Schiavone, both of Struthers, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved parents, his devoted wife, JoAnn M. Colonna Schiavone, whom he married October 15, 1964 and died November 13, 2013, and his daughter Yvette M. Schiavone who died at a young age.

Those who knew Joe will remember his quirky sense of humor, his strength in character, his supportive nature, and his firm beliefs and faith that guided him through life’s challenges. His legacy is one of resilience, dedication, and deep love for both his family and his unique interests.

Gathering of family and friends will be held at Schiavone Funeral Home, 1842 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44504, on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44510. Burial will be at Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44505 following mass.

Contributions made in Joe’s memory to the charity of your choice.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph D. Schiavone, please visit our flower store.

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Statehouse encampment speaks to revolutionary spirit in Ohio country

Published

13 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Statehouse encampment speaks to revolutionary spirit in Ohio country

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Ohio Statehouse West Lawn and North Grounds are set to the air of an American Revolution military encampment from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The camp enables visitors to step back in time to experience sights and sounds such as Captain Joseph Ogle’s Company of the Ohio County, Virginia militia in action and feel the energy of the Heritage Fife and Drums as they fill the air with the stirring music of the Revolution.

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2 arrested at Ohio State pro-Israel event featuring IDF soldiers

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

2 arrested at Ohio State pro-Israel event featuring IDF soldiers

Two individuals were arrested on Ohio State University’s campus April 14 during an event held by a pro-Israel student organization, the university confirmed.

The event, which was hosted at the Ohio Union by the OSU chapter of Students Supporting Israel, was part of the “Triggered: From Combat to Campus” speaking tour. The tour features Israeli Defense Forces soldiers “sharing firsthand stories from October 7th and beyond,” according to Students Supporting Israel’s website.

“The name plays on the irony of campus outrage, where many students were ‘triggered’ not by Hamas’ terror, but by Israel’s defense,” according to the website.

Two IDF soldiers were scheduled to speak at the event, held at 6 p.m. inside the Ohio Union.

In response to the event, Students for Justice in Palestine, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at OSU and Law Students for Justice in Palestine at Ohio State Moritz College of Law scheduled a protest.

“We vehemently oppose any attempts to commemorate or honor war criminals, in addition to any acts of normalization with the zionist entity,” an Instagram post about the protest read. “We will not stand by and allow them to be welcomed onto our campus.”

It was at this protest that two individuals were arrested, Ohio State spokesperson Dan Hedman said in a statement.

“Following multiple warnings, two individuals were arrested for criminal trespass after disrupting a scheduled event inside the Ohio Union and violating university space standards,” Hedman said.

Whether the arrested individuals are affiliated with Ohio State was not immediately available.

In 2024, more than 40 people were arrested on Ohio State’s campus during a string of anti-Israel protests in the days leading up to spring commencement. About half of those arrested individuals were affiliated with the university.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information is available.

Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.

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