PITTSBURGH — Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been mentioned as a head coaching candidate at North Carolina, where he played from 2001-06. But when he was asked about the possibility of leaving the Steelers to coach the Tar Heels on Thursday, Smith said he wants to remain with the Steelers.

"Obviously, that's my alma mater," Smith said. "That's not something I've thought about. I know in today's media things can blow up out of control. The reality is they reached out with a preliminary call. I appreciate it and love that place, but that's not my focus. I have one of the best jobs in football right now.

"You can't put a price on personal and professional happiness, which I have here. I love that place, appreciate [their interest]. That's usually how it goes. They cast a wide net. It's nice when someone reaches out, but I have an awesome job here. I love it here in Pittsburgh. I'm probably in a different mindset than I was four or five years ago where any head job [came open] I probably would have walked there and took it. Now my perspective is different. When you have something good like I have in Pittsburgh — my family loves it here, and I like the working environment. I love being a Steeler."

The Tar Heels' job is open for the 2025 season after legendary coach Mack Brown announced this past week that he would not return.

Smith played offensive guard at UNC and then became a graduate assistant after he graduated, kick-starting his coaching career.

In Pittsburgh, Smith has the Steelers offense right in the middle of the pack among NFL offenses, ranking 14th in scoring at 22.9 points per game.

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