Matt Patricia Finalizing Deal to Become Ohio State’s Defensive Coordinator
Former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia is set to return to coaching, finalizing a deal to become Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. This move brings Patricia back to the sidelines after spending 2024 working alongside Bill Belichick on his podcast.
Patricia’s coaching career has been a rollercoaster. He rose to prominence as the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator (2012-2017), where he helped guide the team to multiple Super Bowls. However, his tenure as head coach of the Lions (2018-2020) was disastrous, finishing with a 13-29 record before being fired midseason. He then returned to New England in 2021, taking on a controversial role as an offensive play-caller in 2022, which yielded poor results. His most recent coaching stint was with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, where he served as a senior defensive assistant before parting ways with the team.
Now, Patricia is heading to the college ranks for the first time in decades, tasked with leading Ohio State’s defense. The Buckeyes have consistently fielded one of the nation’s top defenses, and Patricia’s NFL experience could bring a fresh approach to their schemes.
His return to a defensive-focused role could be exactly what he needs to rebuild his reputation. However, the question remains—can Patricia find success at the college level after struggling in his last few NFL stops?
Matt Patricia Poised to Become Ohio State’s Next Defensive Leader
