Ohio State hired NFL coach Matt Patricia as its new defensive coordinator following reports that the two sides were nearing a deal, the university announced Thursday as part of multiple staff changes.

Ohio State made their final big decision when it comes to their 2025 coaching staff on Wednesday by finding a replacement for Jim Knowles. The Buckeyes landed on former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia to be their next defensive coordinator.

Ohio State is still searching for a replacement for Jim Knowles as the team’s next defensive coordinator, and now a former NFL assistant and head coach could be

National champion Ohio State made the appointments of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline official on Thursday.

Ohio State is finalizing a deal to hire former NFL coach Matt Patricia as its new defensive coordinator, ESPN reports. The Buckeyes had been searching for a replacement after Jim Knowles departed for the same role at Penn State. CBS Sports'/247Sports' Matt Zenitz reported Wednesday that Ohio State had hosted Patricia for a meeting previously.

Ohio State is in the process of hiring Matt Patricia, a longtime assistant and head coach in the NFL, as its defensive coordinator, a source told The Dispatch.

With former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles making a lateral move to take the Penn State DC job, Ryan Day made the decision to replace him with a widely-panned coach that has Michigan fans celebrating and Ohio State fans and media lamenting the move.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was excited for Matt Patricia to become the next defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He posted a congratulatory message on his Instagram story after hearing the news. “Huge get for the program. Congrats Matty P,” Edelman posted.