Ryan Day’s press conferences have always carried a mix of seriousness and levity, especially when the questions drift into areas of curiosity rather than the week’s opponent. That was the case when he was asked about Matt Patricia’s role at Ohio State this season. Patricia, the former NFL head coach of the Detroit Lions and longtime defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, joined the Buckeyes in a role that can only be described as flexible and undefined. Day, never one to get bogged down in speculation, quipped with a smile, “That was his decision,” when pressed about what exactly Patricia is doing. It was a lighthearted response that masked a deeper truth: Patricia’s arrival is significant for Ohio State’s pursuit of a national title, and his exact responsibilities may be less important than the wealth of knowledge he brings to the building.
Patricia’s presence at Ohio State reflects a growing trend of major programs tapping into NFL experience to gain an edge. For a team already loaded with talent, ranked No. 2 in the country, and boasting a defense that has given up just 10.5 points per game in its first two outings, the addition of a coach who has schemed against the best quarterbacks in the NFL is invaluable. Yet, the ambiguity of his title has fueled intrigue among fans and analysts alike. Day joked about Patricia’s “special liberties,” a nod to the fact that Patricia doesn’t appear to be operating under the same rigid structure as other assistants. He’s not tied to one position group, not formally calling plays, and not the face of the defense—that responsibility remains with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Instead, Patricia floats between units, offering insights on scheme, situational football, and perhaps even game planning at a macro level.
For Day, humor was the easiest way to navigate the questions. “That was his decision,” he said, as if Patricia simply wandered into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center one morning and set up shop. But behind the jokes lies an intentional move by Ohio State to bring in a coach who knows what it’s like to prepare for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Patrick Mahomes. Patricia, despite the struggles of his Lions tenure, has always been regarded as a bright defensive mind. His time with Bill Belichick and the Patriots included three Super Bowl victories, with Patricia designing defenses that thrived in high-pressure situations. That pedigree translates well to a Buckeyes team that has seen its seasons derailed in recent years by high-powered offenses in the College Football Playoff.
The timing also couldn’t be better. Ohio State’s defense in 2025 looks formidable, disciplined, and stingy. Allowing just over 10 points per game through two weeks, they’ve smothered opposing offenses and shown the kind of consistency Day has been demanding since the defense became the subject of criticism in years past. Adding Patricia doesn’t signal a lack of trust in Knowles or the rest of the staff; rather, it’s an acknowledgment that chasing championships requires every advantage available. Patricia can look at a game plan and see things that others might miss—small tendencies, matchup opportunities, or weaknesses in protection schemes. That extra set of eyes, seasoned by nearly two decades in the NFL, could be the difference between another playoff disappointment and finally bringing another national championship back to Columbus.
Day’s quip about Patricia having “special liberties” underscores the uniqueness of the situation. Most advisors or analysts stay in the background, their contributions shielded from public view. Patricia, however, comes in with name recognition and a history that makes fans eager to understand what he’s doing. Day’s choice to downplay it publicly with humor makes sense; it keeps the focus on the players and avoids creating a narrative that undermines the current coaching hierarchy. Still, his praise of Patricia’s expertise shows that the Buckeyes value his presence immensely, even if they’re not going to broadcast every detail of his role.
Fans have been buzzing with speculation. Some believe Patricia is being groomed to take on a larger role if needed, perhaps even stepping into a defensive coordinator capacity down the line. Others see him as a one-year consultant, a man with nothing to prove at the college level, simply lending his brainpower to a team with legitimate national title aspirations. Either way, the mystery has added another layer of intrigue to an already compelling Ohio State season.
The impact Patricia can have goes beyond the X’s and O’s. His NFL background gives him credibility with players who dream of making it to that level. A defensive back working on technique or a linebacker learning to read blocking schemes will perk up when advice comes from someone who has coached Pro Bowlers and prepared for Super Bowl offenses. For recruits, too, the optics matter. Being able to tell a five-star linebacker that Matt Patricia is in the building and available to help develop him could tip the scales when Ohio State is battling Alabama, Georgia, or Michigan for elite talent.
Day’s comments also highlight his willingness to embrace collaboration. College football has always been about building the best possible staff, and head coaches are increasingly unafraid to bring in outside voices. Patricia’s undefined role fits neatly into that model. He doesn’t threaten the existing structure, but he elevates it. And by joking about Patricia’s “decision,” Day cleverly deflects attention from the specifics while reinforcing the idea that Ohio State is comfortable and confident in how it operates.
The Buckeyes, of course, are focused on the here and now. Their Week 3 matchup against Marshall will give them another chance to showcase their dominant defense and continue building momentum toward the heart of Big Ten play. Patricia’s fingerprints may already be on what we’ve seen, even if quietly. A disguised coverage here, a blitz package there, or a halftime adjustment could be areas where his voice matters most. Yet, because his role isn’t official in the same way as the other assistants, his contributions will always exist in a kind of gray area.
Still, Patricia’s career arc makes this arrangement fascinating. From the heights of winning Super Bowls with New England to the frustrations in Detroit, and now to an advisory role at one of college football’s biggest programs, his journey mirrors the unpredictable nature of coaching itself. That he chose Ohio State—whether for a career reset, a chance to stay connected to the game, or simply because he enjoys the environment—says something about the program’s stature. Few other schools could attract someone of Patricia’s résumé without promising a defined title or clear authority.
Day, with his quick wit and measured tone, ensured the narrative didn’t run away from him. His joke, “That was his decision,” keeps Patricia’s role lighthearted and prevents it from overshadowing the players. At the same time, his acknowledgment of Patricia’s expertise leaves no doubt that Ohio State sees value in having him around. For fans, it’s one more storyline to follow as the Buckeyes navigate what could be a championship season.
Ultimately, the success of this arrangement will be judged by results. If Ohio State’s defense continues to stifle opponents and the Buckeyes finally get over the playoff hump, Patricia’s influence will be celebrated, even if it remains partially invisible. If the defense falters, questions will linger about whether the staff was too crowded or if roles were unclear. For now, though, optimism reigns. Patricia has stepped into Columbus quietly but with the kind of résumé that commands attention. Day has chosen humor to address it, but his underlying message is clear: Ohio State is pulling out all the stops to chase greatness.
Whether Patricia’s contributions are big or small, direct or indirect, his arrival symbolizes a program unwilling to settle for anything less than a national championship. And in Ryan Day’s world, where every word at a press conference carries weight, sometimes the best way to handle a potentially complicated subject is with a smile and a joke. That lighthearted quip about Patricia’s “decision” may have been designed to ease curiosity, but it also perfectly captured the reality: Ohio State is serious about winning it all, and they’ll take expertise from anywhere they can get it—even if the details stay deliberately fuzzy.
Would you like me to also expand this with more details about Patricia’s NFL career and specific defensive philosophies he could bring to Ohio State to make the article closer to a deep-dive analysis?
