Report: Ohio State, Patricia finalizing deal for DC job

Ohio State is finalizing a deal to hire Matt Patricia as its next defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

The Buckeyes will also promote secondary coach Tim Walton to co-defensive coordinator, Thamel adds.

Patricia was a defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He took over play-calling duties late in the season after head coach Nick Sirianni demoted defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

The 50-year-old was previously the Detroit Lions' head coach from 2018-20 after spending six years as Bill Belichick's defensive coordinator in New England. The Lions fired Patricia after posting a 13-29-1 record.

Jim Knowles, who served as Ohio State's defensive coordinator from 2022-24 and helped the program win a national championship this season, left to become Penn State's defensive coordinator Jan. 26. The Buckeyes had the nation's No. 1 scoring defense this past campaign.

The Nittany Lions gave Knowles a three-year deal averaging $3.1 million per season, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day promoted Brian Hartline and Keenan Bailey to co-offensive coordinators after Chip Kelly accepted the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator job.