Matt Patricia already drawing strong reactions as Ohio State's new defensive coordinator
When the Ohio State Buckeyes announced the hiring of Matt Patricia as the replacement defensive coordinator for Jim Knowles, there were immediate reactions that raised flags for fans. Patricia famously flamed out as the head coach of the Detroit Lions and interim defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, struggling to connect with players. If Patricia […]
When the Ohio State Buckeyes announced the hiring of Matt Patricia as the replacement defensive coordinator for Jim Knowles, there were immediate reactions that raised flags for fans. Patricia famously flamed out as the head coach of the Detroit Lions and interim defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, struggling to connect with players.
If Patricia couldn't create personal relationships in an NFL environment he had been in for two decades, many wondered whether he could adjust to an NIL-driven world with teenagers. Well, at least through the first few weeks and months of Patricia being in Columbus, Patricia is drawing rave reviews.
Safeties coach Matt Guerrieri was complimentary of Patricia throughout his press conference this past week. Guerrieri said he's enjoyed learning from Patricia in their brief time together on Ohio State's staff.
"Getting to know Matt Patricia has been phenomenal," he said.
Bryce West, a sophomore cornerback, added that Patricia's impact is much more encompassing than what happens on the field.
"The relationship with Coach P is amazing. He’s a great dude. He’s always around the team. He’s around us when we’re lifting," West said. "It’s not always about football (with him). He talks to us about life. He’s always there to help us."
Senior defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. said Patricia's presence has been a new experience. He said it's been "refreshing to have a coach who spends a lot of time with his players and really cares about them."
Of course, it's easy to read some of these comments as little jabs at Knowles. Knowles did an excellent job crafting a National Championship-winning defense, but his personality and unwillingness to help in recruiting were relative weaknesses of his short tenure in Columbus.
Hopefully, for the Buckeyes' sake, Patricia will continue to pull the right strings on the field, and enhance what Knowles brought off the field.
