Ohio State hires Matt Patricia

[Elmgrovegnome]

I am just wondering how some college football fans and specifically Ohio State fans feel about this hire.

Can he bring Belichick level defense to college? Will a college team be able to successfully execute?

Patricia had trouble relating to players at the NFL level, ca n he do it at Ohio State?

 

[den-the-coach]

FWIW I like the hire for a couple of reasons. Brian Hartline is a first time OC calling plays so Day did not need to break in another first time coordinator or one with limited experience. Patricia has admitted that many things went wrong in Detroit and he is working on reinventing himself.

He has lost quite a bit of weight and trimmed the beard accordingly and now he goes back to college to reinvent himself as I am sure his goal like Chip Kelly is to get back into the NFL. I like Patricia because he attended RPI and has a degree in Aeronautical Engineering so lord knows he is smart enough, however, needs to work on humility.

This will give him the opportunity to teach his concepts and showcase if he has improved his ability to relate to players. I feel strongly he will succeed and I also trust Ryan Day.

 

[jrry32]

He has sucked without Belichick. Terrible in Detroit. Terrible as Philly's interim DC last year.

 

[den-the-coach]

He has sucked without Belichick. Terrible in Detroit. Terrible as Philly's interim DC last year.

In fairness last year, he was hired after Sean Desai self destructed as DC 8 games in, not actually a recipe for success as it rarely works and the Rams tried to do that back in 2000 with Bud Carson.

As a Head Coach a disaster, however, he is doing everything to reinvent himself and he once was one of the hottest commodities so I am willing to see how this goes.

 

[dang]

He has sucked without Belichick. Terrible in Detroit. Terrible as Philly's interim DC last year.

He just doesn’t exude competence as a HC/coordinator with his backwards hat, deer in the headlights look on the sideline and that damn pencil sticking out his ear.

 

[den-the-coach]

He just doesn’t exude competence as a HC/coordinator with his backwards hat, deer in the headlights look on the sideline and that damn pencil sticking out his ear.

IDK, he has shed the weight, the big beard and I bet he's in the booth without the pencil in his ear.

 

[Corbin]

It seems like a swing for the fences type of hire TBH.

Not exactly a daring take here but I think it'll either work out very good or very badly... not much chance of a average result IMO.

I Do like how he changed his image and seemed he's taken some humble pills trying to look like a rocket scientist on the sideline of an NFL team. That tells me he realizes he's needed to adjust quite a bit which shows you can swallow your pride and improve for the better.

Think he brings NFL rings and credibility regardless and if he keeps himself humble and grind out for the kids as much as possible they'll buy in and they will have a damned good defense including bringing in great new recruits.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It seems like a swing for the fences type of hire TBH.

Not exactly a daring take here but I think it'll either work out very good or very badly... not much chance of a average result IMO.

I Do like how he changed his image and seemed he's taken some humble pills trying to look like a rocket scientist on the sideline of an NFL team. That tells me he realizes he's needed to adjust quite a bit which shows you can swallow your pride and improve for the better.

Think he brings NFL rings and credibility regardless and if he keeps himself humble and grind out for the kids as much as possible they'll buy in and they will have a damned good defense including bringing in great new recruits.

That’s the big question. You can remake your appearance pretty easily. But there were players in Detroit that hated him. I felt this was an odd choice because relating to players is an even bigger priority with college players.

 

[Corbin]

That’s the big question. You can remake your appearance pretty easily. But there were players in Detroit that hated him. I felt this was an odd choice because relating to players is an even bigger priority with college players.

Usually people who have an ego problem don’t remake themselves appearance wise. Lose weight etc. they think they are enough and don’t need to change and treated unfairly/nothing was wrong with them.

Seems he’s made some connections mentally. We’ll see but he’ll have the talent.

 

[FrantikRam]

Meh.

I think Knowles got too much credit for the most talented defense in the nation playing like the most talented defense in the nation.

I was equally underwhelmed by the hiring of Chip Kelly last year.

All to say - I don't think a coordinator is going to be that impactful at Ohio State one way or another.

 

[den-the-coach]

That’s the big question. You can remake your appearance pretty easily. But there were players in Detroit that hated him. I felt this was an odd choice because relating to players is an even bigger priority with college players.

But there are also reports of other players loving him too. Detroit was obviously a disaster for him, he was never a Head Coach before and it did not go well. That does not mean he can not be a good DC. Steve Spagnuolo was worse and the players could not stand him, then he went to New Orleans and got fired as the DC thus having to go back to a linebacker coach before getting another opportunity as a DC.

It Happens, I understand you are hoping he fails being a Penn State fan, however, Patricia reached out to Ohio State informing them he was interested and that started the conversation. I am not worried because unlike some after the Michigan loss I still believed in Ryan Day and still do, so I trust his judgment.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Meh.

I think Knowles got too much credit for the most talented defense in the nation playing like the most talented defense in the nation.

I was equally underwhelmed by the hiring of Chip Kelly last year.

All to say - I don't think a coordinator is going to be that impactful at Ohio State one way or another.

Knowles had a very good defense at Oklahoma State. They don’t recruit great. Plus Knowles didn’t get to do everything he wanted at Ohio State until after the Oregon loss this year. Then Day finally handed him the keys. Throw in LJ always trying to dictate the defense they run and I think he did a good job turning things around.

That being said, I’d prefer Manny Diaz, until Knowles changes my mind.

 

[den-the-coach]

Knowles had a very good defense at Oklahoma State. They don’t recruit great. Plus Knowles didn’t get to do everything he wanted at Ohio State until after the Oregon loss this year. Then Day finally handed him the keys.

I don't think that is 100% correct. The meeting after the first Oregon game, it was Day that wanted a more aggressive approach from the defense and Johnson wanted to unleash his defensive ends, which was different from Knowles scheme.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't think that is 100% correct. The meeting after the first Oregon game, it was Day that wanted a more aggressive approach from the defense and Johnson wanted to unleash his defensive ends, which was different from Knowles scheme.

I got all of that from the Ohio State beat reporter on a podcast.
He said LJ was stuck on playing a base 4/3 defense and always was pushing back against Knowles ideas, especially Knowles wanting to use a position similar to the Rams Star.

 

[den-the-coach]

I got all of that from the Ohio State beat reporter on a podcast.
He said LJ was stuck on playing a base 4/3 defense and always was pushing back against Knowles ideas, especially Knowles wanting to use a position similar to the Rams Star.

The did battle, that is for sure Knowles and Johnson, but after the Oregon game, it was Ryan Day that went to the defensive staff and requested some changes. In fact, that was ruffled the feathers of Knowles. Now, granted, Knowles and Johnson had issues, but Day wanted a more aggressive style and Knowles felt after reaching the mountain top, it was time to move on.

After Ohio State's loss to Oregon in 2024, head coach Ryan Day said the defense needed to "start from scratch". He also said that the team needed to change their mentality and attitude.

Ohio State's Ryan Day: Defense Had To 'Start From Scratch’ After Oregon Ducks Loss

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks catapulted their season with an upset victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Oct 12 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks offe

www.si.com

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I got all of that from the Ohio State beat reporter on a podcast.
He said LJ was stuck on playing a base 4/3 defense and always was pushing back against Knowles ideas, especially Knowles wanting to use a position similar to the Rams Star.

View: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lions247-a-penn-state-athletics-podcast/id1228459191?i=1000685819857


Start around 8:00 if you want to get right into it. Otherwise go to 5:00 for the intro to the reporter.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The did battle, that is for sure Knowles and Johnson, but after the Oregon game, it was Ryan Day that went to the defensive staff and requested some changes. In fact, that was ruffled the feathers of Knowles. Now, granted, Knowles and Johnson had issues, but Day wanted a more aggressive style and Knowles felt after reaching the mountain top, it was time to move on.

After Ohio State's loss to Oregon in 2024, head coach Ryan Day said the defense needed to "start from scratch". He also said that the team needed to change their mentality and attitude.

Ohio State's Ryan Day: Defense Had To 'Start From Scratch’ After Oregon Ducks Loss

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks catapulted their season with an upset victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Oct 12 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks offe

www.si.com

That’s not how the Ohio state 247 reporter said. It sounds like two opposing viewpoints. I’m not sure how tied in this guy is but I know the Penn State 247 reporters are very accurate. I’ve found them to be the most reliable source on anything PSU. (They are very good for recruiting news too if you are into such things. )

I’d also think a beat reporter that is in Columbus for every press conference and is on the practice field etc… would have a good idea what’s really going on.

If you want to follow them on your pods here is the link.
View: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/will-osu-look-to-add-more-from-portal-in-spring/id796478792?i=1000693059435
.

I don’t know if the Buckeyes guys are as well spoken as the PSU reporters but if they are close, then it should be an enjoyable listen every week or more.

 

[den-the-coach]

That’s not how the Ohio state 247 reporter said. It sounds like two opposing viewpoints. I’m not sure how tied in this guy is but I know the Penn State 247 reporters are very accurate. I’ve found them to be the most reliable source on anything PSU. (They are very good for recruiting news too if you are into such things. )

I’d also think a beat reporter that is in Columbus for every press conference and is on the practice field etc… would have a good idea what’s really going on.

If you want to follow them on your pods here is the link.
View: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/will-osu-look-to-add-more-from-portal-in-spring/id796478792?i=1000693059435
.

I don’t know if the Buckeyes guys are as well spoken as the PSU reporters but if they are close, then it should be an enjoyable listen every week or more.

I actually like Penn State and Texas this year. No pressure, but you guys brought back many and barring injury I feel you have the best team in the Big Ten. Best of luck to you.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I actually like Penn State and Texas this year. No pressure, but you guys brought back many and barring injury I feel you have the best team in the Big Ten. Best of luck to you.

I read the SI article that you posted. That sounds like Day trying to take credit and also not revealing what’s really going on behind the scenes, which is to be expected.

I like Penn State’s chances next year too. I wish Carter had returned. But the Oline and running game should be very good. They lost one guy on the Oline and the kid replacing him, named Cooper Cousins, is a total stud. We just need Allar to keep improving and for some receivers that can beat man coverage against top defenses. For the first time in a long many years, I’m very hopeful for the direction this team is headed.