12/24/25 01:20:00
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12/24 11:58 CST Matt Patricia's first season at Ohio State exceeds expectations
going into College Football Playoff
Matt Patricia's first season at Ohio State exceeds expectations going into
College Football Playoff
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
Matt Patricia is used to postseason runs from his days as the defensive
coordinator of the New England Patriots.
However, Patricia acknowledges that the preparation for the College Football
Playoff is different than the NFL. Patricia is in his first season as Ohio
State's defensive coordinator as the second-seeded Buckeyes (12-1) get ready to
face 10th-seeded Miami (11-2) in a CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on Dec.
31.
"It's a learning (process) for me. We'd have bye-week kind of moments in the
NFL, but this is a really long layover and break," Patricia said. "Right now,
I'm trying to trust the expertise in the building. Some of the things we did
transfer, you know, because we have some different kind of scheduling and when
everybody is in school and that stuff."
Ohio State was off for two weeks after its 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten
championship game on Dec. 6. Players were mostly occupied with final exams
while waiting to see who they would face in the Cotton Bowl.
With the Buckeyes going for consecutive national championships for the first
time in school history, Patricia's first season in Columbus has exceeded
expectations. He was hired after Jim Knowles left for Penn State, tasked with
leading a unit that returned only three starters, none on the defensive line.
Patricia and Ohio State made an emphatic opening statement in their Aug. 30
14-7 victory over Texas and continued the momentum throughout the season.
The Buckeyes are ranked either first or second nationally in nine different
categories. They lead the nation in scoring defense (8.2 points per game),
passing yards (129.1), red zone scores (66.7%) and fewest plays of 10 or more
yards (90).
Ohio State had three AP All-America first-team selections on the defense ---
defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb
Downs. All three plus linebacker Sonny Styles are projected to be first-round
picks in April's NFL draft.
Patricia, who returned to coaching in college for the first time since 2002, is
a finalist for the Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in
college football.
"The players have done an unbelievable job. Again, give them all the credit. I
think they've played so hard and aggressive and flying around on the field. And
it is a lot of fun. I tell them all the time, it's such a privilege to be up
there in front of the group and talk to the group," Patricia said. "And just
for me, personally, it has been so much fun to come back to college and have
that little bit of a youthful energy with the players that we have here and
their excitement to go out and play."
When Patricia was hired, many lauded his ability to adjust his personnel by
running multiple fronts and coverages. He also has shown the ability to relate
to players.
"When he first stepped on campus here, it was like a long-lost family member
that just came back from whatever he came from, but he came back home,"
defensive end Kenyatta Jackson said. "And I mean, all the guys love him. Even
offensive guys. He don't just talk to the starters or whatever the case may be,
but he talks to everybody. And I think that's why everybody loves him."
One person who hasn't been surprised with Patricia's success is the guy who
hired him.
"His background speaks for itself and putting guys into a situation to be
successful. And every player just wants someone that's going to be there to get
them better but also wants someone to care about them. He's done both of those
things," coach Ryan Day said. "It's great to have somebody in the building who
has been through some of the games he's been through, the Super Bowls and a lot
of playoff games, so there's a confidence level the guys have in him. So, I
think all of that adds up to what you're seeing."
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