Ohio State’s Ryan Day Makes Surprising Move by Bringing NFL Veteran Coach Onboard—What It Means for Buckeyes’ Future Revealed!

So, here we are again—Ohio State, fresh off a national championship, cruising right back to the NFL coaching talent fuel tank to keep that winning magic flowing. You gotta wonder, is there a secret sauce when Ryan Day taps former Patriots assistants like Josh Boyer and Matt Patricia? Because, well, it worked the last time, didn’t it? It’s like déjà vu on steroids, with Boyer bringing that Patriots pedigree, three Super Bowls and all, to Columbus. The Buckeyes ranked No. 1 in defense last season, and Patricia’s blueprint is clearly one worth copying… or maybe rewriting just a bit. I mean, who wouldn’t be curious about the alchemy behind turning NFL strategies into college gridiron gold? With Day digging deep into the NFL’s coaching treasure chest once more, it’s fair to ask—can lightning strike twice, or are we witnessing a formula the Buckeyes just can’t afford to change? LEARN MORE.

It worked the last time.

Meet The Wife Of Ohio State Coach Ryan Day (1:51)

Fresh off of leading the Buckeyes to a national championship last season, Ryan Day is once again reportedly dipping into the NFL‘s talent pool to add to Ohio State’s coaching staff.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Day and the Bucks are looking to bring another ex-Patriots assistant to Columbus for the school’s upcoming campaign.

Per Thamel: “Ohio State is expected to add former Miami Dolphins DC and longtime NFL assistant coach Josh Boyer to the coaching staff. He brings a long familiarity with DC Matt Patricia, as Boyer worked for the Patriots from 2006-2018 and won three Super Bowls.”

Sources: Ohio State is expected to add former Miami Dolphins DC and longtime NFL assistant coach Josh Boyer to the coaching staff. He brings a long familiarity with DC Matt Patricia, as Boyer worked for the Patriots from 2006-2018 and won three Super Bowls. pic.twitter.com/leiFsL1saE

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 9, 2025

The Buckeyes ranked No. 1 in the country on the defensive side of the ball in 2024, and Matt Patricia is looking to keep that going this fall as he attempts to put his fingerprints on OSU’s scheme.

“We have great coaches that are here, that were here last year, and I think it’s my job to really kind of make sure I’m adapting and learning to what we did really well last year because, obviously, it was great,” Patricia told reporters (via Eleven Warriors).

“We have great coaches that coach these guys really well and develop these players at a high level. From that standpoint, there’ll be some things that are very similar to what everybody’s used to,” Patricia continued. “I maybe teach a little bit differently… It’s more conceptual and big picture and things like that … to put guys in different roles.”

Boyer last coached for the Miami Dolphins from 2019-2022 after rising through the ranks with the Pats and working his way up from defensive assistant to cornerbacks coach under Bill Belichick.

ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Head Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes interviewed after the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Patricia’s time in Foxborough nearly mirrored Boyer’s where he coached linebackers and safeties from 2006-2011 before being elevated to co-defensive coordinator from 2012-2017 and eventually taking the Lions head coaching job a year after that.

Both Belichick disciples collected their share of hardware over the course of their decade-plus runs in New England. Now they’ll be hoping to do the same as a part of one of the most storied programs in college football.