Fresh off a national championship, Ohio State is undergoing a major coaching shake-up, with one of its most crucial vacancies being the defensive coordinator position.
The Buckeyes are determined to make a splash with their next hire, aiming for a high-profile name to lead the defense.
The opening comes after Jim Knowles’ departure to Penn State, a move reportedly fueled by philosophical differences with head coach Ryan Day.
Now, Ohio State is scouring the coaching landscape for his replacement – and a surprising name has emerged: former New England Patriots defensive coordinator and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia.
Patricia, a longtime disciple of Bill Belichick, played a pivotal role in multiple Super Bowl-winning defenses with the Patriots.
Though his most recent college coaching experience dates back to 2003 at Syracuse, his NFL résumé is stacked.
He most recently worked with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, adding yet another chapter to his extensive career.
Despite his struggles as a head coach in Detroit, Patricia is still regarded as a sharp defensive mind.
He was famously on his way towards becoming an actual rocket scientist before deciding to dive into coaching full-time.
The Buckeyes must now decide whether to bring in a veteran coach from outside or promote from within, mirroring their offensive approach when Brian Hartline was elevated to offensive coordinator.
The stakes for this hire are high. Ohio State fielded one of the nation’s top defenses in 2024, surrendering just 12.9 points per game.
Whoever steps into the role will inherit a championship-caliber unit but also immense expectations.
As of now, Ohio State is taking its time to ensure the right fit.
While Patricia’s name remains in the conversation, it’s unclear whether the Buckeyes will go all-in on an outside hire or keep things in-house.
Either way, this decision will shape the program’s defensive future in a major way as they seek to repeat as national champs next season.
What are your thoughts on the Patricia rumors???
