Ohio State football has solved their big Matt Patricia question that’s been looming, and it’s great news for the future of the Buckeyes
Ohio State is keeping Matt Patricia around for a while longer.
There’s been a bit of change on the Ohio State coaching staff this offseason and the biggest was Brian Hartline leaving for South Florida.
A year ago the Buckeyes had just replaced both coordinators following their national title, but Ryan Day was tasked with only replacing one this go around.
Since the season ended against Miami in the College Football Playoff, there have been questions around the future of Matt Patricia as the defensive coordinator. Some clarity has arisen.
Matt Patricia inks contract extension with Ohio State Buckeyes
According to The Columbus Dispatch, the Buckeyes and Patricia have agreed to a new deal, says athletic director Ross Bjork. Patricia was a finalist for the Broyles Award following his first season at Ohio State, an award given to the top assistant coach in the country.
“He was always committed to staying here,” Bjork said via The Dispatch. “I know his family loves it. His kids have fit in well. … We just kept a constant dialogue before we got to an agreement with him.”
At this time, the numbers aren’t disclosed on Patricia’s new contract. Patricia earned $2.5 million as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State last season.
Ohio State’s defense leveled up in 2025 even more after Patricia took over for now Tennessee Volunteers defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The Buckeyes ranked first in yards allowed per game (219.1) and points allowed (9.3).
Jumping from the NFL to college football where he hadn’t been in a couple of decades was a risk for Patricia an Ohio State as well. The decision to bring on Patricia looks like one of Day’s best decisions yet as the head coach at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes will lose key pieces like S Caleb Downs, LB Arvell Reese, and LB Sonny Styles from Patricia’s first defense in Columbus. With those players off to the NFL, Ohio State will need some new faces to step up in 2026 to keep what Patricia has going.
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