The Detroit Lions have gone through many head coaches, some more popular than others.
Dan Campbell, their current leader, has been a strong contender for Coach of the Year since spearheading the team’s turnaround.
One of the Lions’ more unpopular former coaches is now making a return not far from Detroit.
Fans who remember Patricia’s tenure in Detroit likely recall that he wasn’t widely admired.
In October, NFL analyst Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network ranked the 10 worst coaching hires in league history, placing Patricia’s stint with the Lions at No. 7.
Patricia was hired in 2018 after a 9-7 season under Jim Caldwell. That year, the team finished 6-10, then managed just eight more wins over the next two seasons.
Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn were both fired in 2020, paving the way for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes to take over and reshape the franchise.
Brad Berreman of SideLion Report argued Patricia deserved an even worse ranking, stating, “There’s a case for the Lions’ hire of Patricia to be higher than No. 7.
It’s hard to rank such overall ineptitude of coaching hires, but top-five feels proper even without Honolulu Blue-shaded glasses.”
Patricia’s most recent NFL job was as the Philadelphia Eagles’ senior defensive assistant in 2023.
Following a disappointing season, he was let go and hadn’t returned to coaching in 2024.
However, according to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN on Wednesday, February 13, Ohio State “is finalizing a deal to make veteran NFL coach Matt Patricia the school’s new defensive coordinator,” per sources.
Ohio State secured the 2024 national championship, making this a highly sought-after position. Since it’s only a few hours from Detroit, Patricia is returning to the region.
“The move to bring in Patricia comes with the corresponding internal promotion of secondary coach Tim Walton to the co-defensive coordinator role, sources said,” the report noted.
“Ohio State will also be promoting safeties coach Matt Guerrieri to pass-game coordinator, per sources.”
Patricia is set to replace Jim Knowles, who departed to become Penn State’s defensive coordinator.
Patricia’s most successful coaching years came as the defensive coordinator for two of New England’s Super Bowl victories.
He also contributed as an offensive assistant during the Patriots’ 2004 championship run.
Brandon Little of A to Z Sports believes this hire is a “good fit.”
“Patricia likely won’t be heavily involved in off-campus recruiting for the Buckeyes, but his Super Bowl experience makes him a valuable asset on campus,” he said in a February 13 article.
“Only time will tell how the hire ultimately plays out, but there are reasons to be hopeful about his move to Columbus.”
