The Buckeyes are replacing one coordinator and they hope that’s all it’ll be this offseason.
The Ohio State Buckeyes dealt with “champagne problems” after they won the national championship last season.
Ohio State was forced to replace both of its coordinators Jim Knowles and Chip Kelly following last season. Ryan Day stayed in-house with Brian Hartline as the offensive coordinator — and made a big move to go to the NFL ranks and get Matt Patricia to call the defense.
The season didn’t end as the Buckeyes planned it would this year, but they’re still dealing with plenty of turnover. Hartline already has to be replaced as OC, but that may not be all.
The Buckeyes have a Matt Patricia worry on their hands
Ohio State’s defensive coordinator made an Instagram post after the season ended that read like a goodbye to Columbus. At least that’s how many folks took it on social media — and rumors quickly came about a potential departure. That could happen — as Patricia is a highly qualified defensive mind — and there are seven head coaching openings in the NFL. It isn’t that Patricia would be a head coach, but a new head coach very well could bring him in to run the defense.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes that the Dallas Cowboys will “kick the tires” on Patricia potentially being their defensive coordinator. Dallas is a situation where they’re simply looking to replace Matt Eberflus following his firing.
Patricia has made a big mark in Columbus in his one season so far — and that’s why the Buckeyes have been working to extend him. Ohio State ranked first in total yards allowed (219.1), passing yards allowed (113.4), and points allowed (9.3) in 2025. Patricia was the perfect defensive mind to come in and replace Jim Knowles.
The biggest problem is that the majority of Patricia’s experience comes at the NFL level. You don’t have to deal with NIL or recruiting at the college level — even if Patricia isn’t tasked with that in Columbus — it still impacts his job greatly. Before being hired at Ohio State, Patricia had been in the NFL since 2004.
Ohio State hasn’t found its next offensive coordinator yet and adding a defensive coordinator hiring search on top of it would be bad news. The hope for the Buckeyes has to be that the NFL jobs fill up — and that an extension is agreed to with Patricia.