The announcement came on a February afternoon, and the reaction was immediate. Matt Patricia, the former NFL head coach who had spent two decades away from college football, would be Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator. The skepticism wasn’t subtle—it was loud, persistent, and understandable.
How could someone who hadn’t coached college football since the 1990s suddenly step in and lead one of the sport’s most scrutinized defensive units? The concerns filled message boards, podcasts, and social media feeds across the college football landscape.
This week, Patricia was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to college football’s top assistant coach. The doubters have gone quiet.
The Hiring That Raised Eyebrows
When Jim Knowles left Columbus for Penn State, Ryan Day faced a critical decision. The Buckeyes needed a defensive coordinator who could maintain the program’s championship standards while bringing fresh perspectives to a unit that had shown vulnerabilities in key moments.
Day’s choice surprised nearly everyone. Patricia had most recently served as head coach of the Detroit Lions. Before that, he was the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator, but his time away from the college game spanned more than 20 years. His last experience with college-aged players came during his stint at Syracuse in the late 1990s.
The hiring process itself became national news. Patricia’s NFL pedigree was undeniable—three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots, years learning under Bill Belichick, and extensive experience designing defenses against the league’s best offenses. But the college game in 2025 looked nothing like it did when Patricia last coached at this level.
Critics pointed to the differences: recruiting demands, transfer portal management, Name Image and Likeness considerations, and the rapid pace of modern spread offenses. Patricia would need to adapt quickly or watch his hire become another cautionary tale about NFL coaches struggling to translate their success to college football.
Day’s Unwavering Belief
While others questioned the move, Ryan Day remained convinced he’d found the right fit. In an appearance on “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, Day explained his thought process with remarkable clarity.
“Matt really separated himself in the hiring process,” Day said. “One, because of winning Super Bowls and what he did in the NFL, he’s a former head coach in the NFL and he’s brilliant in so many different areas. You know, I knew Matt. He’s from the northeast, like me. We were acquaintances before. But the more time I spent with him, I realized how personable he is. He’s a family guy, and I felt like he would fit our staff and our culture really, really well.”
Day’s confidence wasn’t based solely on Patricia’s résumé. It came from recognizing qualities that transcended scheme knowledge or tactical expertise—the ability to build relationships, connect with players, and integrate seamlessly into an existing culture.
“It’s amazing to me that when all of that was going on, I got a lot of pushback publicly, and I just think so many people are realizing what a special person he is,” Day continued. “He’s done a great job from the minute he got here in building trust, building relationships. He loves ball, but he’s done a good job building relationships.”
The Transformation Begins
Patricia arrived in Columbus and immediately set about proving Day’s faith justified. Rather than attempting to impose a rigid NFL system onto college players, he adapted his approach while maintaining his core defensive principles.
The results spoke louder than any preseason prediction. Through 13 games, Patricia’s defense leads the nation in scoring defense at 8.2 points per game and total defense at 213.5 yards per game. The Buckeyes have allowed just 10 touchdowns all season—a figure that seems almost impossible in an era when offenses regularly eclipse 40 points per game.
Eight times this season, Patricia’s unit held opponents to fewer than 10 points. Against Texas, they allowed seven. Against Washington, just six. Even Michigan, in the rivalry game’s charged atmosphere, managed only nine points against Patricia’s defensive game plan.
The lone blemish came against Indiana in a 13-point performance, but even that loss demonstrated Patricia’s coaching excellence. The Hoosiers entered that game averaging 41.9 points per game during their undefeated regular season. Matt Patricia’s defense cut that production by more than two-thirds.
Building Through People
The statistics validate Patricia’s scheme, but his greatest impact may be in player development. Four Buckeyes earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors on defense: Kayden McDonald, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs. Three more made the Second Team.
Seven All-Big Ten defensive selections in a single season doesn’t happen without exceptional coaching. Patricia maximized the talent on his roster while developing players beyond what many expected. His ability to communicate complex concepts, adjust to individual learning styles, and maintain accountability has created a defensive culture built on trust and execution.
Day recognized this element early in the hiring process, understanding that technical brilliance means nothing without the ability to connect with 18-to-22-year-old players navigating the pressures of major college football.
Historic Recognition and Your Vote
Patricia’s journey from controversial hire to Broyles Award finalist represents one of college football’s best stories this season. For the first time in the award’s 30-year history, fans can vote to help determine the winner, with the fan vote counting equally alongside the selection committee’s votes.
Voting runs through January 26th at 11 PM CST, and fans can vote once every 24 hours. Each vote also enters you for a chance to win two VIP passes to the February 12th ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Support Matt Patricia’s Broyles Award campaign here and be part of recognizing a coordinator who proved that great coaching transcends any single level of football.
The doubters had their say in February. Now it’s time for Patricia’s results to have theirs. From skepticism to elite performance, from questioned hire to Broyles Award finalist—Matt Patricia’s first season at Ohio State has rewritten the narrative completely.
