Matt Patricia to Ohio State: Fans, media react to reports of DC hiring
Matt Patricia is reportedly on his way to Ohio State, joining Ryan Day to become the new defensive coordinator of the Buckeyes.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news of Patricia’s hiring, and the move has since been corroborated by multiple reporters. It gives Day a veteran DC to replace Jim Knowles who has since departed for Penn State, but the move is not without some risk involved.
Patricia is not a name traditionally associated with college football, and for good reason. He was a longtime assistant under Bill Belichick for the New England Patriots, including a top-notch tenure as Belichick’s DC while winning multiple Super Bowl titles.
It’s possible Patricia was the top defensive mind available and he should still be regarded as a legitimate leader on the defensive side of the ball. Still, it’s far from a slam dunk considering Patricia last coordinated a defense in 2017.
RELATED: Be sure to track the latest Ohio sports betting promos to find your best offers on all things Buckeyes!
With so many factors involved, the reaction to Ohio State’s reported hiring has been decidedly mixed on social media. NFL insider Ian Rapoport described it as a “very smart hire” for Day, but others were far less convinced and questioned the overall fit.
Here are some of the top reactions:
This is true, a done deal, and a very smart hire by Ohio State. Matt Patricia lands in a great spot. https://t.co/4qYdE1FhJn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025
I feel like this is the first Ohio State hire in forever that makes you tilt your head and go “I guess we’ll see.” https://t.co/LmCiKVHbbH
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) February 12, 2025
RELATED: Ryan Day rolls major gamble in Ohio State staff shake-up coming off national title
The notion that Matt Patricia is a great defensive coach is such a media creation. His defenses in New England, Detroit and Philly ranked 15th, 21st, 11th, 12th, 32nd, 28th, 24th and 30th. He had a horrible culture in Detroit, and numerous negative stories came out in Philly.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) February 12, 2025
With Matt Patricia as Defensive Coordinator from 2012-2017, the Patriots had a record of 75-21.
• Won AFC East each season.
• Went to AFC Champ Game each season.
• Won 2 Super Bowls.If you think Matt Patricia is a bad hire for Ohio State… you’re wrong.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) February 12, 2025
People asking well if Matt Patricia is so good, why didn't Belichick hire him at North Carolina?
Because Bill hired his son as UNC's DC
I trust Ryan Day 100%. He's made one bad coordinator hire since he's been at OSU (Coombs) and has nailed all of the other ones. He vetted this
— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) February 12, 2025
the two existential questions around matt patricia:
1) if he'll ever have a top 10 defense
2) why he has a #2 pencil if his playsheet is laminated pic.twitter.com/HGED4zjEDz— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) February 12, 2025
Matt Patricia spent a lot of time with Bill Belichick last year studying the college game—with the acknowledgment that Belichick would probably bring his son Steve with him as DC, if he took a college job.
So instead of UNC, Patricia lands with the reigning national champions. https://t.co/i2Lj1aXBIr
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 12, 2025
I don’t like this hire at all. Respectfully, I think Matt Patricia is a bad football coach. I thought he was a detriment to the Patriots defense for years while overseeing a unit that continuously got worse. His time with the Lions was a disaster (not long after he left they… https://t.co/z9ZuEVB9rg
— Mark Dondero (@MarkDondero) February 12, 2025
I think Matt Patricia is a good hire pic.twitter.com/FdkTieF9ZY
— Mr. Peter Millar (@ptrmi11arlover) February 12, 2025
If Matt Patricia has a million haters I’m one of them. If he has 1000 haters I’m one of them. If he has 1 hater it’s me. If he has 0 haters it means I have left this world https://t.co/HLAFDPzoKN
— Alex Drain (@Alex_Drain) February 12, 2025
Ryan Day nailed every hire he made last off-season so I am going to trust his judgement on hiring Matt Patricia even if it isn’t someone I’m fully onboard with.
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) February 12, 2025