Steelers Rumors: Arthur Smith Withdraws from UNC Football HC Job Consideration

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has removed himself for consideration for the North Carolina vacancy, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport reported Sunday that Smith "recently informed UNC that he should not be considered a candidate."

Smith confirmed Thursday that his alma mater made preliminary contact after firing Mack Brown as its head coach. He maintained his commitment to the Steelers and said he's "got one of the best jobs in football right now."

Smith was an offensive lineman for the Tar Heels and became a graduate assistant under then-head coach John Bunting in 2006. The idea that he might return to Chapel Hill made sense in theory.

There has long been a belief that North Carolina can become a major power on the gridiron as well. The school has plenty of resources and is stationed in a talent-rich region of the country.

Brown's second tenure with the Heels, which saw them make a bowl game in each of his first five seasons, could serve as the foundation for something more.

In general, coaches with a good NFL gig might be less inclined than ever to move down to the college ranks.

The year-round grind of recruiting makes working in the NFL less demanding and time-consuming by comparison. The loosening of the NCAA's transfer rules has only strengthened that perception because coaches don't enjoy the same assurances about who will be on their roster from season to season they once had.

Jeff Hafley, who left Boston College in January to become the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, hinted prior to his exit at his frustration with becoming a "general manager" at BC as much as he was a coach.

ESPN's Pete Thamel cited a source who elaborated on that annoyance.

"He wants to go coach football again in a league that is all about football," the source said when referring to Hafley. "College coaching has become fundraising, NIL and recruiting your own team and transfers. There's no time to coach football anymore.

"A lot of things that he went back to college for have disappeared."

It's safe to assume other coaches feel similarly, and Smith might be one of them.

In the case of the 42-year-old, he also may not need to shift levels in order to become a head coach again. Rapoport reported he's "likely to get consideration" from NFL teams looking for a new coach this offseason.