FOX Sports Delivers Bold Message on Ohio State’s Matt Patricia

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FOX Sports Delivers Bold Message on Ohio State’s Matt Patricia

Ohio State Buckeyes’ first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is making significant strides in transitioning from the NFL to college football. FOX Sports analyst Michael Cohen recently highlighted Patricia’s impressive record and suggested he deserves consideration for the prestigious Broyles Award in 2025.

Impressive Defensive Statistics

Under Patricia’s leadership, the Buckeyes have performed exceptionally well. Their recent success includes:

Shutting out Wisconsin with a score of 34-0.
Holding seven consecutive opponents to 16 points or fewer.

As of this point in the season, the Buckeyes’ defense ranks:

First nationally in scoring defense at 5.9 points per game.
Second in total defense with 216.9 yards per game.
First in third-down conversion rate at 21.4%.
First in red zone touchdown rate at 16.7%.

Patricia’s Background and Challenges

Patricia’s transition to college football has been remarkable, especially considering his last coaching role at this level was as a graduate assistant at Syracuse in 2003. His current position is notable, especially with the loss of eight defensive players from Ohio State’s national championship team, who were drafted into the NFL in 2025.

Broyles Award Contention

The Broyles Award is awarded to the best assistant coach in college football. Defensive coordinators have won this award in the past two years, with Al Golden of Notre Dame receiving it in 2024 and Phil Parker from Iowa winning in 2023. The last time a defensive coordinator won before them was Brent Venables in 2016 while with Oklahoma.

Comparison with Hiring Practices

The hiring of Matt Patricia and elevating Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator reflects the strategic decisions made by head coach Ryan Day. These choices have secured a championship-level standard at Ohio State. In contrast, Brian Kelly’s recent departure from LSU highlights the consequences of unsuccessful hiring practices.

As Hartline becomes a potential candidate for other head coaching positions, Day’s ability to make impactful hires will be crucial in maintaining the team’s success moving forward. His track record instills confidence in his decision-making, which is vital in the current climate of frequent coach firings.