Ohio State is finalizing a deal to hire former NFL coach Matt Patricia as its new defensive coordinator, ESPN reports. The Buckeyes had been searching for a replacement after Jim Knowles departed for the same role at Penn State.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have their new defensive coordinator. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the reigning national champions were finalizing a deal to make former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia their new defensive play-caller.

Ohio State is finalizing a deal to make veteran NFL coach Matt Patricia the school's new defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The move to bring in Patricia comes with the corresponding internal promotion of secondary coach Tim Walton to the co-defensive coordinator role,