Introduction
Matt Patricia is one of college football’s most talked-about hires in recent memory. When Ohio State University announced his appointment as defensive coordinator, fans and analysts weighed in on his credentials, past accomplishments, and what his presence could mean for the Buckeyes’ defense. In this article, we explore his Ohio State salary, net worth, coaching career trajectory, and academic background—providing a full profile of one of football’s veteran tacticians.
Matt Patricia’s Salary at Ohio State
In 2025, Matt Patricia took over as the Defensive Coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes under head coach Ryan Day. One of the most eye-catching facts about his role at Ohio State is his compensation package.
Reported Salary
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Patricia is making an estimated $2.5 million per year as defensive coordinator at Ohio State.
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This makes him the highest-paid assistant coach in the Ohio State football program’s history.
Understanding the Context
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By contrast, other top assistants on the staff, like Brian Hartline, earn around $2 million, and Tim Walton earns around $1.8 million.
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The total assistant coaching payroll is nearly $12 million for the 2025 season—an investment highlighting Ohio State’s commitment to elite staff.
Contract Duration
While detailed public terms of Patricia’s contract dates aren’t always disclosed, reports indicate his salary figure is confirmed through the 2028 season in staff contracts.
Coaching Career Overview
Matt Patricia’s journey from an RPI graduate assistant to one of college football’s highest-paid coordinators is storied and impressive.
Early Coaching Days
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After playing football at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) from 1992 to 1995, Patricia began coaching as a graduate assistant at RPI.
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He also served at Amherst College as a defensive line coach and with Syracuse University as an offensive graduate assistant.
NFL Experience
Patricia spent the bulk of his professional coaching career in the NFL, most notably with the New England Patriots.
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2004–2017: Various assistant coaching roles with the Patriots, including linebackers and safeties coach.
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2012–2017: Defensive Coordinator of the Patriots, contributing to multiple Super Bowl championships.
His résumé includes three Super Bowl rings from his time with New England, cementing his reputation as a defensive mind.
Head Coach of Detroit Lions
In 2018, Patricia was named head coach of the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
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His tenure with the Lions lasted from 2018–2020, where he compiled an NFL head coaching record of 13–29–1.
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While his head coaching stint was challenging, it provided invaluable leadership experience at the sport’s highest professional level.
Recent NFL Work
Before joining Ohio State, Patricia spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles as a senior defensive assistant in 2023.
Education and Degree
Matt Patricia’s academic background uniquely blends athletics with analytical thinking.
College & Degree
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Patricia attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a respected academic institution.
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While at RPI, he played as a center and guard for the football team from 1992–1995 before transitioning into coaching.
RPI is known for its engineering and technical programs, suggesting Patricia balanced both athletic pursuits and rigorous academic coursework.
Net Worth and Financial Profile
Estimating the net worth of sports coaches can be tricky, but available data provides a reasonable snapshot.
Estimated Net Worth
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Public financial profiles estimate Matt Patricia’s net worth at around $10 million.
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This figure comes from cumulative earnings throughout his NFL coaching roles, including head coaching pay and highly paid assistant positions.
Coaching Salaries That Built the Net Worth
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His contract as Detroit Lions head coach reportedly paid around $3 million annually, even though he only completed three seasons.
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His multi-year salary at Ohio State of $2.5 million annually adds significantly to his lifetime earnings.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
Available public records indicate Patricia owns residential real estate, further contributing to his portfolio.
Coaching Philosophy and Legacy
Patricia is known for a cerebral approach to defense, blending analytical rigor with experience earned under legendary coach Bill Belichick during his Patriots tenure.
Defensive Approach
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Patricia emphasizes disciplined, situational defense and adaptability.
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His NFL experience brings complex scheming and professional insights to a college roster rich with talent.
Impact at Ohio State
Ohio State hired him with the expectation that he will elevate a strong program into perennial championship contention on defense—a critical factor in title pursuits in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff.
Key Achievements
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Coaching Roles | NFL Defensive Coordinator, NFL Head Coach, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator |
| Super Bowl Rings | 3× Super Bowl Champion (Patriots) |
| Highest-Paid Assistant | First Ohio State assistant to reach ~$2.5M salary |
| Net Worth | Estimated ~$10M |
| Education | RPI alumnus |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Matt Patricia’s salary at Ohio State?
Matt Patricia’s reported base salary as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator is approximately $2.5 million per year, the highest among the Buckeyes’ assistant coaches.
2. How much is Matt Patricia worth?
His estimated net worth is around $10 million, based on his NFL and college coaching earnings.
3. Where did Matt Patricia coach before Ohio State?
Before joining Ohio State, Patricia spent most of his career with the New England Patriots, served as head coach of the Detroit Lions, and worked as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles.
4. What degree does Matt Patricia have?
Patricia attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he played college football and later served as a graduate assistant.
5. What is Patricia known for in his coaching career?
He is widely recognized for his defensive expertise in the NFL, winning three Super Bowl championships with the Patriots and bringing deep experience to Ohio State’s defense.
Final Thoughts
Matt Patricia’s journey—from small-college coaching to NFL success and now a high-profile position at Ohio State—is a compelling story of adaptability, strategy, and professional resilience. His salary and role at Ohio State reflect not only his past achievements but also expectations of future success at one of college football’s elite programs.
