Ohio State hired NFL coach Matt Patricia as its new defensive coordinator following reports that the two sides were nearing a deal, the university announced Thursday as part of multiple staff changes.

The Buckeyes and coach Ryan Day are in the process of hiring former Detroit Lions head coach and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to take over for Knowles as defensive coordinator, The Dispatch confirmed Wednesday.

Ohio State made all of its assistant coaching hires official Thursday through an athletic department release; Tyler Bowen was announced as the new offensive line coach and Matt Patricia is the new defensive coordinator,

The Ohio State Buckeyes have their new defensive coordinator. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the reigning national champions were finalizing a deal to make former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia their new defensive play-caller.

The computer things, as Paul Pasqualoni eloquently describes it, were new to football back then. The ghosts of film review past are well-documented in the sport. The low-ranking staff members driving to meet a counterpart halfway to exchange tape.

Former Philadelphia Eagles assistant coach Matt Patricia nearing deal to become Ohio State defensive coordinator

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was excited for Matt Patricia to become the next defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He posted a congratulatory message on his Instagram story after hearing the news. “Huge get for the program. Congrats Matty P,” Edelman posted.

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Day is hiring Patricia to fill the void left by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving for the same job at Penn State.

The Ohio State football program has found its new defensive coordinator in an unusual place. According to multiple reports out of Columbus, the Buckeyes are bringing in former Lions head coach Matt Patricia to run their defense.

Week 1 isn’t going to be the best version of the 2025 defense. And in the expanded College Football Playoff era, it doesn’t need to be.

The Ohio State football team has found their new defensive coordinator as Ryan Day is hiring Matt Patricia to replace Jim Knowles. Knowles left for Penn State after the Buckeyes won the national championship. Now, the Buckeyes are bringing in a DC with a lot of NFL experience, having won three Super Bowls in his career.