Ryan Day makes crucial decision on replacement for Jim Knowles as Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator
Ohio State was hit with tough news after their National Championship win that they would have to replace defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who was taking the same job at Penn State. There was not much time for celebration for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, as there were future things to future out like the defensive […]
Ohio State was hit with tough news after their National Championship win that they would have to replace defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who was taking the same job at Penn State.
There was not much time for celebration for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, as there were future things to future out like the defensive coordinator search.
That search has found a target and Ohio State is expected to hire former Detroit Lions HC Matt Patricia as their next defensive coordinator, first reported by Pete Thamel of ESPN. Ohio State is promoting secondary coach Tim Walton to co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Matt Guerreri to pass-game coordinator.
Patricia spent the 2023 season as an analyst with the Philadelphia Eagles, who just won a Super Bowl. The previous two seasons it was an advisor role with the New England Patriots for Patricia. Patricia is best known for his three seasons as the head coach of the Lions from 2018-2020. It was the only head coaching stint that Patricia has had and he was 13-29 during that time.
A longtime member of the Patriots from 2004-2017, Patricia has won three Super Bowls as a coach in the NFL. Patricia was a linebackers coach from 2006 until 2010, then coached safeties for a season. New England promoted Patricia to defensive coordinator in 2012 where he stood until he left for the Detroit Lions job.
Knowles led the defense in Columbus for three seasons and each season Ohio State took a step forward on that side of the football. Knowles received a large pay bump from the Nittany Lions and he gets a chance to go back to the state that he is from.
Ohio State returns the best defensive player in the country, Caleb Downs, who has to be excited to come in and coach for anyone coming from the outside. Downs was terrific during the National Championship season and should be an All-American next year before heading to the 2026 NFL Draft.
With spring football a month away, Ohio State has to act fast at finding their next defensive playcaller. Ohio State had options on the inside they could have promoted, as well as exterior options.
In the end the Buckeyes lands a veteran defensive coordinator who should be well respected in Columbus.
