Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Ohio State makes expensive move with DC Matt Patricia

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 11:43 AM ET

Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes clearly feel like they've got the right defensive coordinator in place.

Matt Patricia, the former head coach of the Detroit Lions and a longtime assistant under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots, was hired ahead of the 2025 season to replace Jim Knowles.

Patricia was immediately a good fit both as a coach and a recruiter, and Ohio State's defense flourished under his leadership in 2025.

He was good enough that the Buckeyes want to keep him around and reward him in the process. As such, it's being reported that Patricia has been given a big-time extension by Ohio State.

This is according to Buckeyes reporter Bill Landis, who reports that Patricia's new deal with OSU is a three-year contract worth $11.45 million.

Matt Patricia's contract extension with Ohio State is a new three-year deal through the 2028 season that will pay him $3.75 million in year one, $3.85 million each in years two and three
— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) March 10, 2026

Patricia is now the highest-paid assistant coach in college football.

His deal was the big one, but it was far from the only move the Buckeyes made on Tuesday. The Buckeyes replaced Brian Hartline, now the head coach at South Florida, with Arthur Smith, who got a two-year deal. New receivers coach Cortez Hankton got a two-year deal. New special teams coordinator Robby Discher got a two-year deal. Assistants Larry Johnson, James Laurinaitis, Kennan Bailey, Billy Fessler, Carlos Locklyn and Anthony Schlegel also got contracts.

"College football is evolving fast, and today's staffing update is another step in modernizing our program to set the standard in the sport and provide our players with premier support in every aspect of their experience in our program," Day said in a statement. "Extending Coach Matt Patricia and five of our position coaches, and adding leaders like Robby and Anthony, gives us the structure, innovation and accountability we need to keep competing for championships in 2026 and beyond."

Patricia coached the top-ranked college football defense in 2025. The Buckeyes ranked No. 1 in scoring defense with 9.3 points allowed per game and No. 1 in total defense, allowing just 219.1 yards per game.

Safety Caleb Downs was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Kayden McDonald was the Defensive Lineman of the Year and Arvell Reese was named the Linebacker of the Tear.

Once thought of as a joke for his time in Detroit, Patricia's career has bounced back nicely.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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