Report: Ohio State meets with Patricia for DC job

Ohio State met with former NFL head coach Matt Patricia about its defensive coordinator position, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports.

The Buckeyes have a vacancy for their defensive coordinator role after Jim Knowles left the position to take the job at Penn State. Knowles' contract with the Nittany Lions reportedly makes him the highest-paid coordinator in college football.

Patricia worked on both sides of the ball during his time in the NFL but is better known for his work on the defensive side. He served as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator from 2012-17 before becoming the Detroit Lions head coach from 2018-20. Patricia went 13-29-1 in Detroit, but his defenses in New England ranked in the top 10 in points allowed in each of his six seasons.

Patricia wasn't part of an NFL coaching staff in 2024. His last role was as a senior defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.

The 50-year-old hasn't coached in college since 2003, when he was an offensive graduate assistant at Syracuse.

Ohio State, the reigning national champions, has needed to replace its offensive and defensive coordinators. In addition to Knowles' departure, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly left to take the same job with the Las Vegas Raiders. Brian Hartline and Keenan Bailey will fill Kelly's vacancy.