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. He's most known for his 15 seasons as an assistant coach with the New England Patriots, including six seasons as their defensive coordinator (2012-2017). Under his coordination, the Patriots won two Super Bowls and led the league in fewest points allowed in 2016. He also briefly served as the Patriots' offensive playcaller in 2022. Patricia was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2018 to 2020 before returning to coaching college football in 2025.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: Patricia Begins Coaching Career at RPI

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

1999: Patricia Becomes Defensive Line Coach at Amherst College

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

2000: Belichick's First Year Coaching Patriots

2000 was Bill Belichick's first year coaching the Patriots.

2000: Patricia Continues as Defensive Line Coach at Amherst College

In 2000, Patricia continued his role as the defensive line coach at Amherst College.

2001: Patricia Joins Syracuse University as Assistant

In 2001, Patricia joined Syracuse University as an offensive graduate assistant.

2004: Patricia Joins the Patriots

In 2004, Patricia joined the New England Patriots as an offensive coaching assistant under Bill Belichick, the same year the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX.

2005: Patricia Becomes Assistant Offensive Line Coach

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

2006: Patricia Becomes Linebackers Coach

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

2009: Patricia Calls Defensive Plays

In 2009, Patricia started calling the plays on defense for the New England Patriots.

2011: Patricia Becomes Safeties Coach

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

2012: Patricia Becomes Defensive Coordinator

In 2012, Patricia was promoted to defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

2014: Patriots Win Super Bowl XLIX

At the end of the 2014 season, the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX with Patricia as part of the team.

January 2016: Patricia Interviewed for Browns Head Coaching Position

In January 2016, Patricia was given permission to interview for the head-coaching position of the Cleveland Browns but remained with the Patriots as defensive coordinator.

2016: Patriots Allow Fewest Points

In 2016, the New England Patriots, under Patricia's guidance as defensive coordinator, allowed the fewest points in the league.

2017: Jim Caldwell's Record Before Patricia

In 2017, Jim Caldwell, Patricia's predecessor, posted a 9-7 record before being fired.

2017: End of Defensive Coordinator Tenure with Patriots

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

January 1, 2018: Patricia Subject of Head Coaching Searches

On January 1, 2018 (NFL Black Monday), Patricia was the subject of the Detroit Lions' and New York Giants' head coaching searches.

February 5, 2018: Patricia Named Head Coach of Detroit Lions

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

September 23, 2018: Patricia's First Win as Head Coach

On September 23, 2018, Patricia secured his first win as a head coach with the Detroit Lions, defeating the New England Patriots 26–10. This was the Lions' first victory over the Patriots since 2000.

2018: Patricia Hired as Lions Head Coach

In 2018, Patricia was hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

2018: Lions Record Under Patricia

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

November 28, 2020: Patricia Fired by Lions

On November 28, 2020, Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn were fired by the Detroit Lions after a 4-7 start to the season.

2020: Patricia Gets Another Chance

After the 2019 season, team owner Martha Firestone Ford and Sheila Ford Hamp announced that they would give Patricia a chance to show improvement in the 2020 season.