In one of the more surprising hires of the college football coaching carousel, Ryan Day and Ohio State Football is finalizing a deal to bring former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia to Columbus as the Buckeyes next defensive coordinator. ESPN's Pete Thamel was the first to report the news on Wednesday.

Matt Patricia, who spent was head coach with the Detroit Lions from 2018-20, has been hired as Ohio State's new defensive coordinator.

Patricia was reportedly in Columbus this week, meeting with Ohio State about its vacant defensive coordinator position.

Ohio State is hiring former Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not been announced.

M ichigan fans are thoroughly enjoying the latest reports suggesting that Ohio State is considering former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia for its defensive coordinator rol

Ryan Day's found Ohio State's next defensive coordinator, completing his 2025 staff. And it comes with some lingering questions about the Buckeyes' future.