Consistent success like Ryan Day’s at Ohio State often means frequent coordinator turnover.
This happened again this offseason: longtime wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline was hired as the head coach at USF, only to be replaced by former LSU receivers coach Cortez Hankton. While the team continues to search for a new play-caller, current co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey is thought to be a major contender for the role.
With the Buckeyes focused on their coordinator search, the status of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia adds another layer of uncertainty.
Could Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia Be Headed Back to the NFL?
The Buckeyes’ current defensive coordinator is former Detroit Lions head coach and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Patricia.
Patricia did an excellent job this past season. The Buckeyes’ defense earned a PFSN CFB Defense Impact score of 95.1, good for an A grade and fourth-best in the country (behind Indiana, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma).
Speculation about Patricia’s NFL ambitions has intensified due to his strong year with the Buckeyes.
NFL Insider Albert Breer reported rumors linking Patricia to Tennessee if the Titans hired Matt Nagy, an offensive-minded coach.
Nagy, fired by the Bears in 2021, rejoined the Chiefs as Quarterbacks Coach in 2022 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023. Despite speculation, the Titans hired former New York Jets head coach and San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh instead.
“Let’s say if Matt Nagy had gotten the Tennessee job I think he may have made a run at trying to get Patricia,” Breer explained. “Now obviously that’s off the table because Robert Saleh got the job. Robert runs a completely different system than Matt. That’s not in play the way it was.”
“I don’t think you guys would be surprised to hear that Patricia is on a couple of these lists. . . I haven’t gotten any sort of indication, right now, that he’s closing in on one of the DC jobs.”@AlbertBreer gives an update on Matt Patricia potentially heading to the NFL. pic.twitter.com/TBBlyrTH7r
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) January 22, 2026
The uncertainty surrounding Patricia’s next move still looms over Ohio State.
“These things sort of float around this time of year and coaches have their wish lists,” Breer said. “I don’t think you guys would be surprised to hear that Patricia is on a couple of these guy’s lists. That doesn’t mean he’s going anywhere. It’s sort of going to come down to what he wants. I haven’t gotten any sort of indication, right now, that he’s closing in on one of the DC jobs, but I think if he really wanted to pursue one it might be there for them.”
Of course, with Early Signing Day over and the transfer portal now closed, losing a defensive coordinator now wouldn’t hurt quite as much as it would have earlier in the process.
Still, if he did leave, the Buckeyes would have to find someone who could match Patricia’s success, which may be a difficult task at this point.
Of course, with Ohio State’s pedigree and the talent on their roster, there should be no shortage of candidates should Patricia head back to the pros.
