How Matt Patricia Found 'Different Joy' as Ohio State's Defensive Coordinator

ARLINGTON, Texas — Matt Patricia is particular when it comes to pencils. It's his signature look, to have an iconic yellow wooden one tucked behind his ear on a sideline. It can’t be mechanical — though, that is what he used in college while studying aeronautical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. When it comes to drawing detailed diagrams of footwork or breaking down plays, however, he’s found a really sharp Ticonderoga No. 2 is the way to go.

"I put it up here," Patricia said, motioning to his head while sitting at a small round table alongside a few inquisitive reporters at Monday’s Cotton Bowl media day. "Because, for me, it was the safest place. I’m usually a walking Staples. I’ll have pens, markers. If you put a pencil in your pocket, it’s probably going to break or get you in a bad spot. So I kind of just put it in the hat."

It’s a handy habit and one that’s worked just fine for Patricia over the course of his career. He spent almost 20 years in the NFL, mostly with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, where he helped the team win three Super Bowls. He had an unsuccessful stint as the head coach of the Detroit Lions before returning to New England and later joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive assistant.

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For the past 10 months, Patricia has developed a newfound passion for coaching college football as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. He hadn’t been on a college staff in more than two decades, and when Ryan Day first announced his hire, it was met with a mixed bag of excitement and skepticism. 

It would have been understandable had Ohio State’s defense taken a step back after it was the best