Ohio State Buckeyes sign DC Matt Patricia to $11.45 million extension

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The Ohio State Buckeyes had statistically one of the best defenses in all of college football during the 2025 season. Now, the team is paying to keep around the man who helped make all of that possible.

According to multiple reports, Ohio State has signed defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to a three-year contract extension worth a total of $11.45 million. Patricia will make $3.75 million in the first year of the contract, and $3.85 million in both the second and third years.

This makes Patricia the highest-paid assistant coach or coordinator in the country, and, according to On3's Pete Nakos, would make him among the 60 highest-paid coaches in the nation.

The Buckeyes' defense allowed 9.3 points and 219.1 yards last season, both marks that led the NCAA. In their 14 games last season, they allowed 20 points just once, which came in their Cotton Bowl loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Of course, Patricia doesn't deserve all of the credit for Ohio State's historic defense in 2025. The Buckeyes also had elite players, including three of whom are projected to be drafted in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft: LB Arvell Reese, LB Sonny Styles, and S Caleb Downs.

Now, with Patricia locked down for the future, the Buckeyes can focus on trying to return to the College Football Playoff once again and hoisting another championship trophy at the end of the year.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Matt Patricia signs new contract extension with Ohio State Buckeyes

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