The time Matt Patricia spent leading the Detroit Lions was far from successful. During his tenure from 2018 to 2020, the Lions compiled a 13-29-1 record, finishing with a .314 winning percentage, according to league data.

Because of those struggles, the organization decided to move on from Patricia in 2020. The team also dismissed general manager Bob Quinn at the same time, a decision that ultimately helped push the franchise toward a new direction. Interestingly, the change may have also benefited Patricia’s career.

At the time of the move, team owner Sheila Ford Hamp explained that the decision wasn’t easy.

“It was a difficult call because both of them are great people who worked extremely hard for this organization,” Hamp said in a statement. “However, it simply wasn’t producing the results we had hoped for when we hired them.”

For many Lions fans, Patricia’s name still brings back frustrating memories. Still, it’s hard not to notice what he has accomplished since leaving Detroit. These days, he’s working for one of Michigan’s biggest college football rivals and has been finding notable success.

Matt Patricia Secures Extension With Ohio State

Following a strong 12–2 campaign with the Ohio State Buckeyes football, Patricia signed a three-year contract extension earlier this year to remain the program’s defensive coordinator. The deal reportedly pays him $3.75 million for the 2026 season, making him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football, according to reporting from CBS Sports.

College football analyst Brad Crawford noted in a March 2026 report that Patricia is now one of just four coordinators at the Power Four level earning more than $3 million annually—figures that were once typical starting salaries for many head coaches.

With Patricia running the defense, Ohio State finished the 2025–26 season ranked first in the nation in both scoring defense and total defense. His contract also pays him more than double what the team’s offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, earns—an unusual gap between coordinators on the same staff.

Why Patricia Chose to Stay in Columbus

After signing the extension, Patricia explained why he decided to remain at Ohio State University instead of pursuing other opportunities.

“Ohio State is such a special place,” Patricia said in comments reported by Sports Illustrated writer Brian Schaible. He pointed to the program’s history, tradition, and the people within the university as key reasons for staying.

Patricia also emphasized the role his family played in the decision. He acknowledged that he had options both in college football and in the NFL but felt stability was important.

“There were chances in college and opportunities in the league as well,” Patricia explained. “But we had just moved, and family matters a lot. When you have kids in school, constantly relocating becomes difficult.”

He added that his family has enjoyed settling into life in Columbus, Ohio and that the community has been extremely welcoming, saying it now feels like home.

It’s somewhat ironic that Patricia has found success guiding the Buckeyes—longtime rivals of the Michigan Wolverines football—through a strong stretch of college football. Still, while many in Michigan may remain conflicted about his success, it’s clear he has found a situation where things are finally working out.