Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matt Patricia

How Matt Patricia built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Matt Patricia is an American football coach, currently the defensive coordinator for Ohio State University. He previously served as defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots (2012-2017), winning two Super Bowls and leading the league's top-scoring defense in 2016. He also briefly served as the Patriots' offensive playcaller. Patricia was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2018-2020 and a senior defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, briefly holding playcalling duties.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: Graduate Assistant at RPI

In 1996, Matt Patricia began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

1999: Defensive Line Coach at Amherst College

In 1999, Matt Patricia became the defensive line coach for Amherst College.

2000: First year coaching for Belichick

In 2000, Belichick was in his first year coaching for the patriots

2000: End of time as Defensive Line Coach at Amherst College

In 2000, Matt Patricia's time as defensive line coach at Amherst College ended.

2001: Offensive Graduate Assistant at Syracuse

In 2001, Matt Patricia moved to Syracuse University as an offensive graduate assistant.

2004: Joined Patriots as Assistant

In 2004, Matt Patricia joined the New England Patriots as an offensive coaching assistant.

2005: Assistant Offensive Line Coach

In 2005, Matt Patricia was reassigned as the Patriots' assistant offensive line coach.

2006: Linebackers Coach

In 2006, Matt Patricia was reassigned as the Patriots' linebackers coach.

2009: Last shutout season

In 2009 the lions were shut out for the last time before being shutout in 2020 against the Carolina Panthers

2009: Began calling defensive plays

In 2009, Matt Patricia began calling the defensive plays for the Patriots after the departure of Dean Pees.

2011: Safeties Coach

In 2011, Matt Patricia was named the New England Patriots' safeties coach.

2012: Patriots Defensive Coordinator

In 2012, Matt Patricia became the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

2014: Won Super Bowl XLIX

In 2014, the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX with Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator.

January 2016: Interviewed for Browns Head Coaching Position

In January 2016, Matt Patricia was granted permission to interview for the head coaching position of the Cleveland Browns, but he ultimately remained with the Patriots.

2016: Patriots Allowed Fewest Points

In 2016, during Matt Patricia's time as defensive coordinator, the Patriots allowed the fewest points in the league.

2017: Caldwell Fired

In 2017, Jim Caldwell, the head coach before Patricia, was fired.

2017: End of Defensive Coordinator Tenure

In 2017, Matt Patricia's tenure as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots ended.

January 1, 2018: Head Coaching Searches

On January 1, 2018, Matt Patricia was being considered for the head coaching positions of the Detroit Lions and New York Giants.

February 5, 2018: Named Head Coach of Detroit Lions

On February 5, 2018, Matt Patricia was named the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

September 23, 2018: First Win as Head Coach

On September 23, 2018, Matt Patricia secured his first win as a head coach with the Detroit Lions against the New England Patriots.

2018: Head Coach of the Detroit Lions

In 2018, Matt Patricia became the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

2018: Lions Record in 2018

In 2018, under Matt Patricia, the Detroit Lions posted a 6–10 record.

2019: Dismal Season in 2019

In 2019, the Detroit Lions had a dismal 3–12–1 season under Matt Patricia.

November 28, 2020: Fired by the Lions

On November 28, 2020, Matt Patricia was fired by the Detroit Lions, along with general manager Bob Quinn.

2020: Given a Chance to Improve

After the 2019 season, team owner Martha Firestone Ford announced that Matt Patricia would be given a chance to show improvement in the 2020 season.

2020: End of Tenure with Detroit Lions

In 2020, Matt Patricia's tenure as the head coach of the Detroit Lions ended.

January 22, 2021: Returning to the Patriots

On January 22, 2021, it was reported that Matt Patricia would be returning to the New England Patriots "in a variety of roles".

July 21, 2022: Senior Football Advisor and Offensive Line Coach

On July 21, 2022, the Patriots announced that Matt Patricia would be senior football advisor and offensive line coach.

2022: Patriots Offensive Playcaller

In 2022, Matt Patricia served as the offensive playcaller for the New England Patriots.

April 20, 2023: Hired as Senior Defensive Assistant

On April 20, 2023, Matt Patricia was hired as a senior defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles.

2023: Senior Defensive Assistant for the Eagles

In 2023, Matt Patricia served as a senior defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles, holding defensive playcalling duties near the end of the season.