Ryan Day hired one of college football's top assistant coaches last offseason.
On Tuesday, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia was named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented to the top assistant coach in college football.
The Final 5. Introducing the 2025-2026 Broyles Award Finalists.
— The Broyles Award (@BroylesAward) December 9, 2025
Winner will be announced live on Feb. 12 at the 30th Anniversary Broyles Award Event at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Join us in celebrating college football's top assistant coaches. pic.twitter.com/DfTtJxBOgb
Day hired Patricia on Feb. 12 after Jim Knowles left for Penn State. The decision raised eyebrows, considering Patricia had been an NFL coach for two decades. His last experience as a full-time coach in the league came as head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2018-20, when he compiled a 13-29-1 record before leaving with a damaged reputation with coaches, players and fans.
Still, Day remained convinced Patricia was the right fit.
“Matt really separated himself (in the hiring process)," Day said in an appearance on Bussin' With the Boys last week. "One, because of his background of winning Super Bowls and what he did in the NFL, he’s a former head coach in the NFL and he’s brilliant in so many different areas. You know, I knew Matt. He’s from the northeast, like me. We were acquaintances before. But the more time I spent with him, I realized how personable he is. He’s a family guy, and I felt like he would fit our team and our culture really, really well.
"It’s amazing to me that when all of that was going on, I got a lot of pushback publicly, and I just think so many people are realizing what a special person he is. He’s done a great job from the minute he got here in building trust, building relationships. … He loves ball, but he’s done a good job building relationships.”
Ohio State’s defense has validated Day’s faith. Under Patricia, the Buckeyes have delivered a generational season, maximizing contributions from Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Kayden McDonald and more to overwhelm opposing offenses. Through 13 games, Ohio State leads the nation in scoring defense (8.2 PPG), total defense (213.5 YPG) and passing defense (129.1 YPG), and ranks No. 6 in rushing defense (84.46 YPG).
Patricia’s unit — which has yet to allow more than 17 points in a game — is also No. 1 in red-zone defense (66.67%), No. 7 in opponent third-down conversions (29.19%) and No. 11 in fourth-down stops (37.04%).
The winner of the Broyles Award will be announced on Feb. 12. Between now and then, Patricia could have up to three more chances to strengthen his case, beginning with the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 and potentially continuing in the Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 8) and the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 19.
