By hiring a former Patriots coach, Ohio State and Ryan Day begin their rivalry with Bill Belichick.

The Ohio State Buckeyes, under the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, have been one of the most dominant college football programs in recent years. Known for their powerhouse offense, skilled quarterbacks, and an ability to recruit top-tier talent, the Buckeyes are perennial contenders in the Big Ten Conference and on the national stage. However, the 2025 offseason brought with it a move that was as unexpected as it was groundbreaking: Ohio State hired a former New England Patriots coach to join its staff.

This move set the stage for a potential rivalry between Ryan Day and Bill Belichick, the legendary head coach of the Patriots. While at first glance, the idea of a rivalry between a college coach and an NFL coach might seem a bit far-fetched, the dynamics of modern football have evolved. The hiring of a former Belichick disciple by a major program like Ohio State creates a unique intersection of worlds that could result in a highly charged and public rivalry, especially given the powerful legacies of both Day and Belichick.

This article explores the implications of Ohio State’s decision to hire a former Patriots coach, what it means for the rivalry between Ryan Day and Bill Belichick, and how this move could set the stage for future clashes between two of football’s brightest minds.

The Move: Ohio State’s Bold Hire

In the summer of 2025, Ohio State made waves in the college football world by hiring Matt Patricia, a former defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. Patricia, who had spent several years as a defensive assistant under Belichick, gained notoriety for his leadership in New England’s defense during their Super Bowl runs in the 2010s. His reputation as a brilliant strategist, though questioned during his brief stint as head coach of the Detroit Lions, remained intact among those who recognized the depth of his experience in the Belichick system.

Patricia was hired as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, a key role in a program looking to continue its offensive dominance while strengthening a defense that had been inconsistent in recent years. The move was immediately met with excitement and intrigue, as many analysts and fans recognized the potential of pairing Patricia’s defensive prowess with Ryan Day’s offensive genius.

However, the hire was not just a strategic one for Ohio State’s on-field success. It also marked the beginning of a potential rivalry between Day and Belichick—a rivalry that could have significant ramifications for both college and professional football.

The Significance of Hiring a Former Patriots Coach

The decision to hire Matt Patricia was not just about his tactical knowledge or past success in New England; it was about the larger narrative that it created. Ohio State, a powerhouse in college football, was aligning itself with a coaching tree that, for decades, has been synonymous with winning at the highest level. The Patriots, under Bill Belichick, have been the gold standard in the NFL, winning six Super Bowls and consistently contending for championships. By hiring Patricia, a product of Belichick’s system, Ohio State made it clear that they were striving to implement the same principles that have made the Patriots so successful: disciplined football, adaptability, and a focus on team over individual accolades.

This alignment with the Belichickian coaching tree was bound to have repercussions beyond just Ohio State’s football program. It signaled a shift in the perception of college football coaching—more specifically, it signaled a deeper connection between college football and the NFL. Coaches like Ryan Day have become adept at recruiting top talent and running sophisticated offenses, but the addition of a former NFL coach with Super Bowl experience added an extra layer of credibility to Ohio State’s already impressive program.

More importantly, the hiring of Patricia immediately drew attention from Belichick himself. While the two have never directly crossed paths in their coaching careers, the Patriots’ dominance in the NFL and Ohio State’s success in the college ranks have made them parallel entities in the world of football. Belichick, as a legendary figure in the NFL, had undoubtedly taken notice of Ohio State’s growing influence in the football world. With Patricia now heading to Ohio State, it’s clear that there is a new connection between the two institutions—one that could have far-reaching consequences.

Ryan Day’s Risky Gamble

For Ryan Day, the hiring of Matt Patricia was a bold move that showed his willingness to step outside the conventional boundaries of college football coaching. Day had already built a reputation as an offensive mastermind with a heavy emphasis on the passing game and dynamic quarterbacks. By bringing in Patricia, Day was signaling that he wanted to take his team to the next level—not just by dominating offensively, but also by creating a more disciplined and defensively sound team capable of competing for national championships year in and year out.

However, this decision was not without risk. Patricia had a reputation for being a defensive genius in New England, but his brief tenure as head coach of the Detroit Lions raised doubts about his ability to succeed in a leadership role outside of Belichick’s shadow. Many wondered whether Patricia could adapt to the college game, where the dynamics of recruiting, player development, and game preparation are vastly different from those in the NFL.

If Patricia failed to live up to the hype, it could hurt Ohio State’s program, and the critics would inevitably point to Ryan Day’s decision to bring in a coach with so much baggage. On the other hand, if Patricia succeeded, it would only solidify Day’s reputation as one of the brightest coaching minds in the country. The risks were clear, but so were the potential rewards.

The Seed of a Rivalry: Day vs. Belichick

The most significant fallout from Ohio State’s hire of Matt Patricia is the potential rivalry that could emerge between Ryan Day and Bill Belichick. While Day and Belichick come from different coaching worlds—Day, a rising star in college football, and Belichick, a seasoned NFL veteran—their careers have begun to intertwine in ways that suggest a growing rivalry.

The College vs. NFL Dynamic

Though it’s rare for a college football coach and an NFL coach to have a direct rivalry, the landscape of modern football is changing. With college programs increasingly adopting NFL-style systems and coaching philosophies, the lines between the two levels are beginning to blur. The rise of NFL-style offenses in college football and the ever-growing influence of the NFL on the college recruiting process have created a unique dynamic.

Belichick, a coach with a legendary NFL resume, has always had an interest in college football. His deep understanding of the game has often been used to analyze and evaluate college talent, as well as to refine his own methods in the NFL. However, with Ohio State’s hiring of Patricia, Belichick now finds himself indirectly competing with one of the top college football programs in the country. As Day’s Buckeyes continue to rise, Belichick’s Patriots, who have been in a post-Brady transition phase, may soon find themselves in a situation where their two respective programs are vying for dominance in different ways.

The NFL Draft Connection

Another interesting angle to this developing rivalry is the impact it could have on the NFL Draft. Ohio State has long been a factory for producing top-tier talent, with many of its players making the jump to the NFL and becoming immediate stars. The addition of Patricia could help position Ohio State as an even more attractive destination for recruits looking to transition to the NFL, further strengthening their recruiting pipeline.

With Patricia’s deep ties to Belichick and the Patriots’ scouting system, Ohio State’s influence over the NFL Draft could increase. If the Buckeyes continue to develop elite prospects and produce high draft picks, this could lead to a growing relationship between Ohio State and NFL teams, including the Patriots. This might spark a sense of competition between Day and Belichick as both men aim to shape their programs and secure the best talent.

The Long-Term Implications of the Rivalry

While the rivalry between Ryan Day and Bill Belichick is in its early stages, it has the potential to shape the landscape of football for years to come. Belichick’s legendary status in the NFL and Day’s rising profile in college football could lead to an interesting back-and-forth, both on the field and in recruiting. The hiring of Matt Patricia is just the beginning of a deeper connection between Ohio State and New England, with the potential for future confrontations, whether in bowl games, the NFL Draft, or in recruiting wars.

At the heart of this rivalry is a shared commitment to excellence, and both coaches understand that success is not just about the Xs and Os but about building an enduring legacy. If Patricia succeeds in his new role at Ohio State, it could cement the Buckeyes as one of the most formidable programs in the country. If Belichick and the Patriots bounce back and reclaim their place atop the NFL, the competition between the two coaching giants could intensify, creating one of the most fascinating coaching rivalries in football.

 A Rivalry for the Ages

The hiring of Matt Patricia by Ohio State is more than just a move to bolster the team’s defense—it marks the beginning of a rivalry that could have lasting ramifications for both Ryan Day and Bill Belichick. As college and NFL football continue to evolve, the lines between the two levels of play are blurring, and Day’s decision to bring in a former Patriots coach creates an intersection of worlds that could result in exciting, high-stakes drama on and off the field.

While the rivalry is still in its infancy, the stakes are high. Both coaches have much to prove, and their paths may cross in ways that challenge each other’s legacies. Whether it’s through a national championship run, a key

recruit, or a surprising draft pick, the battle between Ryan Day and Bill Belichick will be one to watch closely in the years to come.