Schiano rejects reported Patriots offer to remain Ohio State DC

Ohio State defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Greg Schiano will be staying at the college level with the Buckeyes, he confirmed to Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated on Wednesday after reports linking him to the New England Patriots.

Schiano had been rumored to replace Matt Patricia as Patriots defensive coordinator after Patricia took the Detroit Lions' head coaching job. A source told Feldman that Schiano did have an opportunity to join New England's staff, although it's not clear what role he was offered.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer acknowledged outside interest in Schiano in a press conference Wednesday.

"Coach Schiano, just like last year, he turned down a handful of head coaching opportunities in college," Meyer said. "Multiple opportunities, again, in the National Football League this year. ... And he's not one of those (that) gets it out there ... that's zero conversation in the media. It's between myself and him, and then obviously, (athletic director) Gene Smith is very involved. ...

"At least a dozen opportunities Coach Schiano's had. And we had many, many discussions and he's informed me that he's 100 percent staying at Ohio State University. So that's done and he's here."

Following a two-year stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Schiano has spent the past two seasons with the Buckeyes.