Ohio State to add former NFL DC to staff, per report

Ohio State is apparently still loading up on coaching talent even a few weeks before the start of the 2025 season.

The defending national champions are expected to add former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator and longtime NFL assistant Josh Boyer to their staff, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Saturday afternoon.

Not only does Boyer bring a wealth of experience and success from football’s highest level, he also brings familiarity to Ohio State’s current coaching staff under Ryan Day. Boyer was on the New England Patriots coaching staff from 2006-18 as a defensive assistant, defensive backs coach and cornerbacks coach, winning 3 Super Bowls while working alongside new Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia during all of those years except for 2018.

Now, it appears that Patricia will have a very familiar right-hand man at his disposal as he gets used to the pressure-cooker of Columbus.

Sources: Ohio State is expected to add former Miami Dolphins DC and longtime NFL assistant coach Josh Boyer to the coaching staff. He brings a long familiarity with DC Matt Patricia, as Boyer worked for the Patriots from 2006-2018 and won three Super Bowls. pic.twitter.com/leiFsL1saE

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 9, 2025

It’s also a homecoming of sorts for the 48-year-old Boyer, who is a native of Heath, Ohio, and was a graduate assistant at Dayton and Kent State.

After leaving the Patriots, Boyer spent 4 seasons on the Miami Dolphins’ staff from 2019-22, including the final 3 seasons as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator.

Now, it appears he’s headed back to the college game and to his home state.