Matt Patricia sounds like a man with unfinished business in Columbus - and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
The Ohio State defensive coordinator made it clear this past week that he’s focused on building the next version of a Buckeyes defense that, under his guidance, took a major leap forward last season. And while the NFL’s coaching carousel continues to spin, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious landing spot for Patricia - not that he seems to be looking.
“Just do everything we can to try to build the defense again,” Patricia said. “It’ll be another new set of players out there, just like it was last year, but I’m excited about those young guys. I can’t wait to get them out on the field in front of our group and go have some success, hopefully.”
That doesn’t sound like a coach with one foot out the door. That sounds like a coach ready to reload.
And reload he must. Patricia inherited a defense with serious talent - guys like Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Kayden McDonald, and Caleb Downs - and turned them into one of the most dominant units in college football.
That’s not just about talent; that’s coaching. He took a group that had already shown flashes under previous leadership and elevated them to another level.
Now comes the real test: can he do it again with a younger, less-experienced group?
Because make no mistake - the bar has been raised.
Ohio State’s defense last season wasn’t just good; it was the kind of group that wins championships. And while the Buckeyes came up short in the biggest game of the year, the defensive side of the ball had its own share of questions to answer after that loss.
Patricia knows that. He knows the expectations in Columbus aren’t just about being good - they’re about being elite, every single week, especially when the stakes are highest.
If Patricia can replicate last year’s success with a new crop of players, he’s going to have options. Big ones. Whether that’s locking in long-term as the defensive cornerstone of a perennial title contender or entertaining head coaching offers - in the college ranks or back in the NFL - Patricia’s stock will only rise if this Buckeyes defense keeps trending up.
But for now, he’s locked in. And that’s big news for Ohio State.
Because while OSU has no shortage of talent - the recruiting machine under GM Mark Pantoni continues to bring in elite prospects - it’s what Patricia does with those players that could define this next chapter of Buckeye football. Last year, he got career-best performances out of a handful of future pros. This year, he’ll need to do the same with a younger group still finding its footing.
That’s where coaching chops really show.
And if Patricia can turn this next wave of defenders into another top-tier unit, he won’t just be cementing his place in Columbus - he’ll be building a legacy.