After helping the Ohio State Buckeyes win the national championship in January, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the program to take the job at the Penn State Nittany Lions, who made him the highest paid at the position.
This left a void in Ohio State’s coaching unit. However, as of Wednesday, the position is no longer vacant as head coach Ryan Day has reportedly hired Matt Patricia as the Buckeyes’ newest defensive coordinator.
Fans Give Their Verdict on the Latest Move in Ohio State’s Coaching Staff
While the Buckeyes are finalizing the deal with Patricia, who was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2018 to 2020, fans are already buzzing on the internet with hilarious reactions.
“Awesome move… for Michigan,” another fan took a sarcastic jibe at Ohio State’s hire, citing their dismal record against the Wolverines in the past few years.
Ohio State is hiring Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator, via multiple reports.
Patricia previously served as an NFL coach with the Patriots and Lions. pic.twitter.com/Pcw03pcdsS
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) February 12, 2025
“whoa, but and Hartline as the OC. Ryan Day is playing with fire here,” one fan commented.
“Nice, but Michigan still gonna beat them,” another fan threw a comment saying the Wolverines will still dominate.
“This is GREAT news for Michigan! #GoBlue,” another wrote.
There have been many reactions to Michigan because the Buckeyes, despite being a better overall team on paper, lost the regular season finale against the Wolverines last season.
The rivalry is important to both programs, and even though Day won the national title, he will remain in the hot seat if he doesn’t improve his blemish record against Michigan, which currently stands 1-4.
One fan properly assessed Patricia’s coaching history.
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“Nobody wants to talk about the fact that he improved the Lions’ defense his first year in Detroit. Yes, he then ran good players out of town and lost the locker room, but the guy knows defense. Imagine what he can do with the talent Ohio State will provide,” one fan added.
“Dudes gonna be fired by the end of The Game. Ohio State 8-5 season in bound,” another has a different prediction in mind.
Let’s see if Patricia’s hiring actually brings good luck to Day & Co., which will need to overcome the Michigan challenge and defend its national title.
Ohio State DC Matt Patricia Has Years of Experience
Patricia comes to Columbus with tremendous coaching experience.
He began his coaching career at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) in 1996 as a graduate assistant. After a brief hiatus, he returned in 1999 to become the defensive line coach at Amherst College (1999–2000). The following season, he joined Syracuse University as an offensive graduate assistant and stayed there till 2003.
In 2004, Bill Belichick hired him on his staff as an assistant offensive line coach. Two years later, he transitioned to the defensive side as a linebackers coach. He was promoted to safeties coach in 2011 and was promoted to the role of defensive coordinator in 2012.
He helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls (XXXIX, XLIX, LI) in that role.
By now, Patricia was already experienced, as he went on to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2018. However, he struggled, compiling a 13–29–1 record before being fired in November 2020.
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Patricia rejoined the Patriots in 2021 as a senior football advisor. Next year, despite his background being mostly on the defensive side, he also took on the role of offensive line coach.
In 2023, Patricia was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a senior defensive assistant.
After a year off from coaching, Patricia is set to return on the sidelines come the 2025 college football season.
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