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Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day wasn’t ready to celebrate publicly after news broke that defensive coordinator Matt Patricia had agreed to a new contract.
Instead of diving into details, Day quickly stepped aside and let the athletic department handle it.
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Athletic director Ross Bjork confirmed the agreement in a recent interview, but specifics of the deal were not released.
When asked about Patricia’s new contract, Ryan Day made it clear he wasn’t going to elaborate.
“No. Let Ross and everybody there handle how we’re going to move forward with all that,” Ryan Day said.
He did, however, praise Patricia and those involved in the process.
Ryan Day emphasized that keeping Patricia in Columbus was a priority and said the defensive coordinator has fully embraced the Buckeyes culture.
Ryan Day said the staff made it a priority to lock in Patricia’s long-term future with the program. He added that Patricia truly enjoys being part of the Buckeyes community and has smoothly settled into the culture in Columbus.
Ryan Day’s refusal to address the contract terms only fueled speculation.
Reports suggest Patricia could now be among the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football, though official numbers have not been made public.
Before this extension, Patricia had signed a three-year deal when he first arrived in Columbus.
That original agreement reportedly included a base salary of $2.5 million for the 2025 season.
At the time, some questioned whether the investment would pay off.
Patricia answered those doubts with results.
Under his leadership, Ohio State fielded the top defense in the nation last season.
The Buckeyes allowed just 219.1 total yards per game and surrendered only 9.3 points per contest.
Replacing former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was never going to be easy.
Knowles left after helping Ohio State win the 2024 national championship and took a surprising job at Penn State.
His departure raised eyebrows and left Day searching for answers.
Patricia’s résumé made him a logical choice.
With NFL experience that includes time with the New England Patriots and the Detroit Lions, along with three Super Bowl titles, he brought instant credibility.
He quickly proved he could translate that success to the college level.
Even though Ohio State lost its unbeaten streak and Big Ten title to Indiana and suffered a College Football Playoff upset against Miami, the defense remained the team’s backbone.
That consistency made retaining Patricia a top offseason priority.
While other programs focused on roster moves, Ohio State zeroed in on keeping its defensive architect.
Rumors linked Patricia to a possible NFL return, but Bjork said he never felt the coach was looking elsewhere.
“He was always committed to staying here,” Bjork said, noting that Patricia’s family has settled in comfortably.
Bjork added that constant communication helped finalize the agreement and praised Patricia for building trust within the program.
With the contract situation resolved, Day can now turn his full attention to preparing for next season.
The Buckeyes believe stability on defense will be key as they aim to clean up last year’s mistakes and make another championship push.
FAQ:
Why did Ryan Day avoid discussing Matt Patricia’s contract details?
Ryan Day chose not to share details about Matt Patricia’s new contract and directed questions to athletic director Ross Bjork. He said the administration would handle the financial specifics.
Did Matt Patricia sign a contract extension with Ohio State?
Yes, Ohio State secured Matt Patricia with a new contract, although the full terms and salary details have not been publicly disclosed.
How much was Matt Patricia earning before the new deal?
Before the updated agreement, Patricia had signed a three-year contract that included a reported base salary of $2.5 million for the 2025 season.
Is Matt Patricia expected to rank among the top-paid assistant coaches in college football?
Reports suggest Patricia could now rank among the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football, but official numbers have not been released.
How did Ohio State’s defense perform under Matt Patricia?
Ohio State had the top-ranked defense in the country last season, allowing only 219.1 total yards per game and just 9.3 points per game.
Who did Matt Patricia replace at Ohio State?
Patricia replaced former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles after Knowles left Ohio State for Penn State following the 2024 national championship season.
What is Matt Patricia’s coaching background?
Patricia previously coached in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. He also won three Super Bowl titles during his time in New England.
Why was keeping Matt Patricia important for Ohio State?
Ohio State prioritized retaining Patricia because of the defense’s strong performance and rumors linking him to potential NFL opportunities. The program wanted stability heading into next season.
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