Michigan football is officially in the market for a new head coach after parting ways with Sherrone Moore on Wednesday. And with a program as storied and high-profile as the Wolverines, the search is bound to draw attention - and some intriguing names.
One of those names? Matt Patricia.
Yes, that Matt Patricia - the former New England Patriots defensive coordinator and current Ohio State defensive coordinator. His name is starting to gain traction as a potential candidate for the Michigan job, and while it might raise some eyebrows, there’s more here than meets the eye.
Let’s start with the obvious: Patricia’s head coaching résumé in the NFL wasn’t exactly a highlight reel. He went 13-29-1 during his time leading the Detroit Lions, failing to post a single winning season.
But in the college game, especially at a program like Michigan, the equation is different. NFL struggles don’t always translate to college shortcomings - especially if the coach has learned from the experience and is ready to adapt.
And that’s the key with Patricia. He’s got the head coaching experience - something not every candidate on Michigan’s radar can say - and he’s spent decades in elite football environments.
From his long run with Bill Belichick in New England to his current role at Ohio State, Patricia has been immersed in high-level football strategy for most of his career. The question is whether that experience, combined with a fresh perspective from his return to college football, makes him a viable option to lead a Big Ten powerhouse.
The potential move comes with plenty of drama. If Patricia were to jump from Ohio State to Michigan, it would be one of the more shocking coaching flips in recent memory - not just because of the rivalry, but because of the timing.
He’s currently in his first season back in the college ranks after more than two decades in the NFL, and he’s already being linked to two major Big Ten jobs. Just last week, he reportedly showed interest in the Penn State opening.
But Michigan’s urgency is real. With the early signing period approaching and the transfer portal already in full swing, the Wolverines need to move fast. A quick hire is essential to steady the ship, keep recruits on board, and lay the groundwork for 2026 and beyond.
If Patricia is seriously in the mix, his candidacy would come with both upside and risk. On one hand, he brings a defensive pedigree and a no-nonsense, detail-oriented approach molded in the Patriots’ system. On the other, he hasn’t been a head coach at the college level, and his last run in charge didn’t go as planned.
Still, don’t dismiss the idea. Patricia knows the Big Ten landscape now.
He’s seen Michigan up close from the other sideline. And if he’s ready to make the leap - especially into enemy territory - it would be one of the boldest moves of this coaching cycle.
Michigan has a decision to make, and if Patricia’s name is truly in the mix, the Wolverines could be looking at a hire that turns heads across the college football world.