Smith says he had a conversation with the university about their coaching vacancy where he played on the offensive line in the early 2000s. Smith's coaching career started there in Chapel Hill as a graduate assistant in 2006. He says the university reached out to him about the job, but says he doesn't plan on leaving Pittsburgh anytime soon.

People cast a wide net and then some narratives get out of control," Smith said. North Carolina fired head coach Mack Brown and has opened its search. Smith’s name was quickly thrown out as a potential candidate,

Arthur Smith said that his alma mater North Carolina "reached out" to him, but that his focus is on "one of the best jobs in football" with Steelers.