Report: Matt Patricia Meets with Ryan Day, OSU About DC Job After Knowles' PSU Exit

Ohio State is reportedly interested in a former NFL head coach for its vacant defensive coordinator position.

Per CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, Matt Patricia met with the Buckeyes about their defensive coordinator opening in Columbus on Monday. Patricia, who coached the Detroit Lions from 2018 to 2020, last worked with the Philadelphia Eagles as a senior defensive assistant in 2023.

Patricia got his coaching start in the collegiate ranks but has only held NFL jobs since 2004. He was with the New England Patriots from 2004 to 2017, serving in various roles including defensive coordinator for six years.

His Lions tenure was mostly unsuccessful as he was fired in 2020 after failing to reach the playoffs in each of his first two seasons at the helm. After his stint in Detroit, he returned to the Patriots for two seasons before joining the Eagles for one season in 2023.

Ohio State is looking for a replacement for Jim Knowles, who was the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator from 2022 to last season. Fresh off a championship with Ohio State, Knowles left the program in January to become Penn State's defensive coordinator.

The three-year deal pays Knowles an average of $3.1 million per season, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football.

Replacing Knowles will be a tall task after he led Ohio State to having one of the best defenses in college football in 2024. The Buckeyes gave up just 254.6 yards per game, which was the best mark in the FBS last season. Their 12.9 points per game were also the fewest in the nation in 2024.

While Patricia has little experience at the collegiate level, he spent most of his career working under legendary coach Bill Belichick, who will coach North Carolina this season. Whether the Buckeyes give Patricia the chance to follow in the footsteps of Belichick remains to be seen.