Michigan football fans didn't exactly have a reason to fear former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who improved the Buckeye defense to best in the country this past year. Because the Wolverines never lost to Knowles, even when his defenses performed admirably over the past few seasons.

In one of the more surprising hires of the college football coaching carousel, Ryan Day and Ohio State Football is finalizing a deal to bring former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia to Columbus as the Buckeyes next defensive coordinator. ESPN's Pete Thamel was the first to report the news on Wednesday.

Matt Patricia is expected to be named Ohio State football defensive coordinator. Patricia was head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2018-20.