Ohio State is on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator after Jim Knowles took the same position at Penn State. One potential candidate for the job is former NFL head coach Matt Patricia.
Patricia visited Ohio State on Monday to discuss the defensive coordinator opening, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
With over two decades of coaching experience in the NFL, Patricia spent the 2023 season as a senior defensive analyst with the Philadelphia Eagles. Though he hasn’t worked in college football since his time as a graduate assistant at Syracuse in 2003, he brings a wealth of experience.
Patricia spent the bulk of his career under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots, where he eventually became defensive coordinator in 2012. He held the position for six seasons before becoming head coach of the Detroit Lions. However, his stint in Detroit was marked by struggles, posting a 13-29-1 record without making the playoffs. Afterward, Patricia returned to the Patriots briefly before joining the Eagles.
Knowles served as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator for four seasons, with the Buckeyes allowing just 12.9 points per game during their championship season in 2023, the best in the nation. The new defensive coordinator will have large shoes to fill.
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