AsOhio State aims to repeat as National Champions this year, the team is doing so with major coaching changes.
The Buckeyes have new coordinators on both sides of the ball, as Chip Kelly and Jim Knowles both left the school after winning the National Championship. Knowles, specifically, caused a stir when he took the same job with Penn State.
Ryan Day tabbed veteran coach Matt Patricia to replace Knowles as his new defensive coordinator. Patricia spent the past two decades in the NFL, but after a year off from coaching, he now heads to the college game like his mentor, Bill Belichick.
So, how did Patricia get to Columbus? Here's a breakdown of what to know.
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Matt Patricia coaching timeline
Here's a look at all of Matt Patricia's coaching stops during his career.
| Year | Team | Role |
| 1996 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | GA |
| 1999-2000 | Amherst | Defensive Coordinator |
| 2001-2003 | Syracuse | GA |
| 2004-2005 | New England Patriots | Assistant Offensive Line coach |
| 2006-2010 | New England Patriots | Linebackers coach |
| 2011 | New England Patriots | Safeties coach |
| 2012-2017 | New England Patriots | Defensive Coordinator |
| 2018-2020 | Detroit Lions | Head Coach |
| 2021 | New England Patriots | Senior Defensive Assistant |
| 2022 | New England Patriots | Senior Defensive Assistant/Offensive playcaller |
| 2023 | Philadelphia Eagles | Senior Defensive Assistant |
| 2025 | Ohio State | Defensive Coordinator |
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Matt Patricia coaching history
New England Patriots: 2004-2017
After brief college stints at Amherst and Syracuse to begin his coaching career, Patricia joined Bill Belichick's Patriots staff in 2004 for what would be 14 seasons in New England.
Patricia held a variety of roles for the Patriots, starting with assistant offensive line coach and being promoted to linebackers coach and safeties coach. Patricia was named New England's defensive coordinator in 2012, a position he would hold for six seasons.
Patricia helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls, including two as defensive coordinator (Super Bowl 49 and 51).
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Detroit Lions: 2018-2020
The Lions hired Patricia as head coach in 2018, hoping he would be able to bring his success from the Patriots to spark the franchise.
However, Patricia's tenure in Detroit was not successful. The Lions went 6-10 in his first season in 2018, then 3-12-1 in 2019. Then, after starting 2020 season 4-7, the Lions fired Patricia in Week 12.
The Lions went 13-29-1 under Patricia and never made the playoffs.
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New England Patriots: 2021-2022
Patricia returned to the Patriots as an assistant after leaving Detroit, but he didn't have as much success as he did in his first stint with New England. He served as a senior defensive advisor in both 2021 and 2022, and called plays on offense in 2022.
However, Patricia's offense didn't perform well as then-Patriots quarterback Mac Jones regressed in his second season. As a result, Patricia was let go after the season.
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Philadelphia Eagles: 2023
Patricia last served as the Eagles defensive coordinator in 2023. Philadelphia started strong that season and struggled down the stretch. Patricia originally joined the team as a senior defensive assistant in the offseason, but took over as defensive playcaller over defensive coordinator Sean Desai midseason.
Philadelphia lost six of its last seven games of the regular season in 2023 and their NFC wild card matchup against the Buccaneers in 2024. Patricia was once again fired, as the Eagles brought in Vic Fangio to be their new defensive coordinator.
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