The Eagles have been in search of a new offensive coordinator and had been in contact with the Steelers’ current play-caller before he made a career-defining decision. Dianna Russini reports that the Eagles had been in conversations with Arthur Smith before he accepted the Ohio State offensive coordinator job.

Smith, a former North Carolina Tar Heels offensive lineman, started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Tar Heels in 2006. He moved to the NFL the following year. His only other experience in college football was in 2010 when he served as a defensive intern at Ole Miss.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles had interest in Arthur Smith before he accepted Ohio State job