Matt Patricia Impresses Ohio State Players With Innovative Approach, Energy, and Expertise During First Spring as Defensive Coordinator
When Matt Patricia took over as Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator this spring, the hire raised eyebrows and sparked immediate curiosity throughout the college football world. Known for his tenure as New England Patriots defensive coordinator during their dynasty years and a less successful stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions, Patricia entered Columbus carrying a mixed reputation—one built on tactical acumen, but shadowed by questions about player relationships and scheme fit at the collegiate level. But as Ohio State wrapped up its spring practices, it became abundantly clear that Patricia had flipped the narrative in record time. Players and coaches alike lauded his intelligence, adaptability, and energy, with several Buckeyes saying this spring was the most excited they’ve ever felt about a defense.
For Patricia, this wasn’t just a return to college football. It was a recalibration of philosophy and communication. His NFL résumé is heavy, full of Super Bowl rings and chess-match wins against elite offenses. But at Ohio State, he needed more than just a playbook—he needed buy-in from young athletes hungry to reclaim national championship relevance. From the start, Patricia prioritized relationships, holding individual meetings with defensive players and finding out not only what they could do on the field, but who they were off of it. That investment paid dividends almost immediately.
Veteran linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, a leader in the locker room and on the field, described Patricia’s impact as “transformational,” noting that practices felt more purposeful and that the communication from coach to player had never been clearer. “It’s not just that he knows the game, because everyone knows that,” Eichenberg said. “It’s the way he gets us to understand what he wants and why it works. That’s what makes the difference. You can tell he’s coached at the highest level.”
Patricia’s schematic adjustments were both subtle and significant. Rather than overhauling everything, he emphasized situational flexibility and disguised coverage, giving players more freedom at the second and third levels to read and react. Safeties, who had often been left on islands or confined to static roles under previous coordinators, were now shifting pre-snap and crashing down with aggression. Junior safety Lathan Ransom described the new defensive calls as “liberating,” adding that Patricia “lets us play fast, but smart. He’ll coach every detail, but when it’s game time, he trusts us.”
This trust was reciprocated throughout the defense. Sophomore edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr. credited Patricia’s NFL background for giving players a pro-level view of the game. “He doesn’t talk down to us, he elevates us,” Jackson said. “He makes you feel like you’re already getting ready for Sundays.” That mindset filtered down to technique as well. Practice film sessions under Patricia’s direction became longer and more in-depth, not as punishment, but because players were eager to learn. The defensive line reportedly spent hours dissecting blocking schemes from top college offenses, guided by Patricia’s encyclopedic understanding of protections and tendencies.
Perhaps the most noticeable shift under Patricia came in defensive identity. Ohio State has long recruited elite talent on defense, but in recent years, the unit had been criticized for inconsistency and occasional miscommunication in high-stakes moments. Patricia set out to change that not just through Xs and Os, but by instilling a culture of ownership. At one point this spring, he reportedly scrapped an entire segment of practice to have a team-wide conversation about accountability and tempo. It wasn’t just coachspeak; players emerged from that meeting energized and more connected. Junior cornerback Denzel Burke said it was “the first time in a while it felt like everyone was on the same page, start to finish.”
While Patricia was known in NFL circles for his often gruff demeanor, those closest to the Buckeyes’ program have noted a more measured, even humorous side in Columbus. Multiple players said they were surprised at how personable he was, how he joked with players during stretches or broke down film using references they understood. Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams remarked that Patricia “keeps it real with us. He’s got the old-school brain, but he talks to us like people, not robots.” That kind of approach has resonated strongly with a generation of players used to rapid feedback and relational coaching.
From the outside, there were questions about how Patricia would adapt to the recruiting-heavy, fast-moving world of college football. Internally, however, the transition has been smooth. Recruits and their families who visited during spring practice noted how involved Patricia was in walkthroughs and player development conversations. Sources close to the team say Patricia has embraced recruiting far more than expected, leaning on assistants for groundwork while he builds genuine relationships with top targets. His NFL credentials certainly don’t hurt, but it’s his newfound passion for mentoring young defenders that has given him staying power with prospects.
Of course, spring buzz only carries so much weight until it’s tested on Saturdays. But for now, Ohio State players feel reenergized—and not just on defense. Offensive players have privately said practices have become more competitive because of Patricia’s chess-match adjustments. Quarterback Devin Brown commented that going against Patricia’s defense every day has made him better at reading disguised coverages and blitz packages. “You can’t get lazy,” Brown said. “He’ll throw something at you every series that looks the same but plays out totally different.”
Head coach Ryan Day, who made the bold move to bring in Patricia, has stood by the decision as one of his most important yet. Day said that Patricia’s arrival brought “a new standard of preparation” and praised his ability to relate to players and coaches alike. “Matt’s a teacher at heart,” Day said. “It’s not just about scheme—it’s about building something sustainable, something elite.”
Ohio State fans have reason to be hopeful. After a series of disappointing finishes in recent seasons—including back-to-back losses to rival Michigan—the Buckeyes have loaded up their roster with both returning stars and high-impact transfers. Now, with Patricia guiding a defense that’s as deep as it is fast, the expectations are sky-high. The goal, as always, is to beat Michigan and win a national championship. Patricia isn’t shying away from those standards—in fact, he’s leaning into them.
“We know what the expectations are here,” Patricia told reporters after the spring game. “And the only way to meet them is to prepare better than anyone else. That’s the goal every day.” His tone wasn’t arrogant or defensive; it was matter-of-fact, the way a coach speaks when he knows what success requires and has seen it at the highest levels.
As the Buckeyes head into summer conditioning and preseason camp, there’s a noticeable edge to the defensive unit—a hunger that hadn’t quite been there the past few years. It’s not just about payback or revenge. It’s about proving something to themselves, to their fanbase, and to the rest of college football. And Patricia, for all his history in the pros, has proven to be the right man to lead that charge.
Time will tell how this marriage of NFL experience and college passion unfolds on the scoreboard, but so far, Matt Patricia has done everything asked of him and more. He has connected with his players, challenged them mentally and physically, and brought fresh perspective to a program that expects greatness. The reviews from the locker room aren’t just positive—they’re emphatic. If spring was any indication, Patricia’s presence on the sidelines this fall won’t just be noticeable. It could be game-changing.
