The Ohio State Buckeyes boasted one of the best defenses in college football in 2025.
The Buckeyes, who started the season 12-0 and held the No. 1 ranking for much of the regular season, limited opponents to 9.3 points per game, easily the lowest in FBS. Ohio State also led the nation in total yards allowed (219.1) and passing yards allowed (129.7).
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The promising season went down the drain for the defending national champions when they fell to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff.
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Still, Ohio State rewarded defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for his unit’s dominant season. Earlier this week, the former Detroit Lions head coach received a three-year deal that will pay him $3.75 million in 2026, per On3.
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That makes Patricia the highest-paid assistant coach in the country.
Patricia received a $2.5 million salary in 2025, . His three-year contract will pay him $3.75 million in 2026 and $3.85 million in 2027 and 2028.
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Patricia made a name for himself by winning two Super Bowls between 2012 and 2017 as the defensive coordinator with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. The Patriots also won a crown after the 2004 campaign, which was Patricia’s first year as an offensive assistant.
He took over the Detroit Lions head coaching job in 2018 but lasted just two-plus years, turning in a 13-29-1 record. Patricia returned to the Patriots as an assistant in 2021 and spent 2023 as the Philadelphia Eagles’ senior defensive assistant before joining Ohio State.
Spring practice began Tuesday for head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. Ohio State looks to replace four players, including three on defense, projected to go in the top 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to an updated CBS Sports mock draft.
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