Matt Patricia had an impressive year leading the defense at Ohio State during the 2025 season despite the team’s early exit from the College Football Playoffs.
However, given his vast experience in the NFL, would Patricia consider a potential return?
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer addressed the possibility in his weekly mailbag, specifically when asked about what names he’s heard regarding the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator job opening.
“I think they kick tires on Brian Flores and maybe Matt Patricia,” Breer wrote. “Brian Schottenheimer’s dealt with the Patriot family of defenses plenty over the years. The availability of Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich is intriguing as well, considering their ties to Dan Quinn.”
Patricia brings vast experience along with many championships. He first joined the New England Patriots in 2004 as an assistant offensive line coach but transitioned to the defense as the linebackers coach in 2006. In 2012, he was named the team’s defensive coordinator and remained in that role until 2017. From 2004 to 2017, he won three Super Bowl championships. Then in 2018, he was hired as the Detroit Lions head coach, but was fired in 2020. From there, he rejoined the Patriots as a senior football advisor for two seasons, but left and joined the Philadelphia Eagles as a senior defensive assistant in 2023.
As for Ohio State, he’s only been with the Buckeyes for one season, but he proved himself, being a finalist for the 2025 Broyles Award, which is given to the best assistant coach in college football.
Ohio State Has Already Lost One Coordinator
GettyBrian Hartline
Brian Hartline, who has been on the coaching staff at Ohio State since 2017, signed on to become the head coach at the University of South Florida. He was allowed to finish the season with the Buckeyes until their loss on New Year’s Eve.
Hartline has extensive football knowledge, having played at Ohio State from 2005 to 2008. He was then selected by the Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, staying in Miami until 2014. He then signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns in 2015.
After his playing career was over, Hartline became a graduate assistant for the Buckeyes in 2017 and was then named interim wide receivers coach in 2018. The position was made permanent shortly after. In 2021, he was promoted to passing game coordinator and then took over as offensive coordinator in 2023. In 2024, Chip Kelly was named as offensive coordinator, but Hartline remained a co-offensive coordinator. He became the sole holder of the job when Kelly left to take the same job with the Las Vegas Raiders after one season.
Dallas Cowboys Fired Matt Eberflus
GettyMatt Eberflus
On Tuesday, the Cowboys fired Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator following the end of the 2025 regular season.
“Having known Matt Eberflus for decades now, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a person. After reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, though, it was clear that change is needed,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement. “This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations.”
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