Matt Patricia got paid after leading the nation's best defense -- and now he needs to be even better (and more aggressive)

The defensive coordinator is back for Year 2 with a $3.75 million salary and a defense that needs to create more havoc.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will make $3.75 million in 2026. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s 2019 defense was arguably the best in the nation. The Buckeyes gave up 13.7 points per game, which was fourth in the country. They gave up the fewest yards per game, and were second in both the play-to-play and drive-to-drive data we like.

That defense saw seven players picked in the 2020 NFL Draft, including Chase Young, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette in the first round, and DaVon Hamilton and Malik Harrison in the third round.

And defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley bolted.

Hafley arrived in Columbus with Ryan Day, coached up a defense powered by supremely talented individuals, and left at a peak, taking the head coaching job at Boston College. He’s now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins — and his rise started with coaching a talent-laden OSU defense

The next year, in the drive-to-drive Fremeau Index, Ohio State’s defense dropped from No. 2 to No. 45, and new coordinator Kerry Coombs was under fire.

Hafley looked like a genius. The OSU defense fell off without him.

But what did the Buckeyes miss more? The coordinator? Or the talent?

This example was expertly suggested by a subscriber after our podcast conversation about current defensive coordinator Matt Patricia getting a major raise with the Buckeyes, because Matty P will give us an idea about what might have happened if Hafley had stuck around for Year 2.

How much was the success of great Ohio State defenses in 2019 and 2025 about the coordinator? And how much was about the talent?

That’s a question that Ohio State bet $3.75 million on, giving Patricia a $1.25 million bump from the $2.5 million he made last year. In a world where coordinators were just stepping over the $3 million line — Jim Knowles made $3.1 million at Penn State last season, Indiana’s Bryant Haines will make $3 million this season — Patricia crashed through it.

That’s fine. Pay for production. Ohio State has the resources to throw around $15.3 million for 12 assistant coaches. But this makes it clear what the Buckeyes think they have.

The best defensive coordinator in college football.

That means Patricia should be the best in 2026 at everything … which Ohio State wasn’t last season.

Let me make my three main points right here. I’ve said them multiple times on multiple platforms, but I’m never afraid of repeating myself.