The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk

Episode: Grading Matt Patricia – How Ohio State's New Defensive Coordinator is Stacking Up After Three Games

Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Doug Lesmerises & Bill Landis

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, and evaluates his performance after his first three games. Doug and Bill dive deep into Patricia’s surprising transformation from his NFL days, the defensive changes he’s implemented, standout players, and how Ohio State’s defense stacks up nationally. The discussion also highlights the chemistry Patricia has with players, his teaching philosophy, and the complexities of transitioning from pro to college football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matt Patricia's Personality and Evolution

Timestamps: 01:38–06:54

• Both hosts are pleasantly surprised by Patricia’s positive energy and humor, contrasting sharply with his gruffer, intense persona as Lions head coach.
• Doug: "It almost feels to me like he was a kind of grumpy dramatic actor who now... is doing some comedies." (02:09)
• Bill: "Players absolutely love the guy... what other endorsement do you need?" (04:22)
• Hosts note Patricia’s humility, his willingness to admit mistakes from Detroit, and how his self-awareness has shaped his new coaching approach.
• Anecdote: Bill recounts a Detroit fan’s surprise at Patricia’s apparent “apology” for his Lions tenure (05:48).

2. Embracing College Football

Timestamps: 04:48–06:54

• Patricia is credited for embracing the college environment and adapting his style.
• Doug: "One of the ways he's proving [doubters] wrong is by changing who he is, which is hard to do when you're older." (05:47)
• Hosts observe the difference between Patricia’s NFL legacy and his college coaching revival.

3. Defensive Scheme Adjustments & Sub-packages

Timestamps: 08:52–12:36

• Patricia is praised for innovative use of sub-packages:
  • Increasing player roles and using five-man defensive fronts.
  • More creative deployment of the secondary.
• Bill: "Matt Patricia does actually seem to be embracing it... he's interested in finding roles for almost all of them in sub-packages." (09:52)

4. Translating NFL Knowledge to College Players

Timestamps: 10:42–13:55

• Patricia balances NFL intellect with the realities of teaching younger, college athletes:
  • Only installs what players can absorb.
  • Encourages player feedback; if players want to keep practicing a new idea, he listens.
  • Focuses on application over knowledge.
• Memorable Quote:
  Doug: "It's not about what you know, it's about what you can teach." (11:22)
• Example: Caleb Downs calls Patricia "a really good teacher" (13:00).

5. Game Day Operations: Sideline vs. Booth

Timestamps: 15:14–19:03

• Patricia prefers calling plays from the field for face-to-face communication.
• Emphasizes immediacy of tablet tech for instant replay, reducing need for coaches to be in the booth.
• Difference in leadership styles: calm detachment (booth) vs. emotional engagement (sideline).
• Doug: "If I want to do things, I want to make sure the guys are okay with it." (16:32)

6. Defensive Continuity vs. Change

Timestamps: 19:06–22:15

• Patricia claims minimal change to system (kept much of previous terminology/structure), but hosts argue significant differences are visible in fronts and pressure tactics.
• Bill: "If you just cut on the tape of a game from last year and this year, I think it would look pretty different now." (21:02)

7. Player Spotlight: Arvell Reese’s Versatility

Timestamps: 22:05–24:24

• Reese is used as both an elite pass rusher and spy—rare dual role.
• Patricia appreciates unpredictability in having one player fulfill both tasks.
• Praises also for Reese’s coverage ability (pass breakups).

8. Game Planning for Washington’s QB (Demond Williams Jr.)

Timestamps: 25:42–27:41

• Patricia compared Williams' burst to Kyler Murray.
• Demonstrates Patricia's NFL-experienced eye for talent and attention to opponent strengths well before game time.
• Doug: "He compared Demond Williams Jr. to Kyler Murray... the idea that he thinks [Williams] can get to top speed in one step." (25:52)

9. Defensive Identity: Confusion > Havoc

Timestamps: 27:41–33:20

• Ohio State’s defense is not filling stat sheets with turnovers or sacks, but they excel at containing big plays and causing “confusion.”
• Patricia’s NFL background leans toward bend-don’t-break, disguise-heavy schemes rather than high-risk blitzing.
• Bill: "Confusion is a form of havoc, even if it doesn't show up numerically in someone's stat sheet." (30:23)
• Trade-off discussion: reliability vs. explosiveness (preventing big plays over chasing sacks/TFLs).
• Comparison to Jim Knowles’ more aggressive past style.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Patricia’s personal growth:
  "He's kind of playing a different character in a different movie." (Doug, 02:09)
• On defensive innovation:
  "He’s interested in finding roles for almost all of them in sub-packages." (Bill, 09:54)
• On teaching vs. scheming:
  "It's not about what you know, it's about what you can teach." (Doug, 11:22)
• On sideline coaching:
  "If you get the double blank... then he's like, oh, never mind, we'll do something else." (Doug, 16:29)
• On defensive philosophy:
  "Confusion is a form of havoc, even if it doesn't show up numerically in someone's stat sheet." (Bill, 30:23)
• Player comparison:
  "He compared Demond Williams Jr. to Kyler Murray... the idea that he thinks Damon Williams Jr. can get to top speed in one step." (Doug, 25:52)
• On grading Patricia:
  "A. I mean, I guess it could be an A plus... I'll say A to give them something to strive for." (Bill, 33:42)

Major Segments & Timestamps

• [01:21–06:54]: Patricia’s demeanor, NFL to college transition, improved player rapport
• [08:52–13:55]: Sub-packages, teaching approach, comparisons to Jim Knowles
• [15:14–19:03]: Sideline vs. booth coaching debate, use of technology
• [19:06–22:15]: How much has really changed? Defensive similarities/differences
• [22:05–24:24]: The Arvell Reese “do everything” linebacker and Patricia’s usage
• [25:42–27:41]: Scouting Demond Williams Jr., Kyler Murray comparison
• [27:41–33:20]: Defensive identity, confusion vs. disruption, tradeoffs
• [33:34–34:41]: Grading Patricia – both hosts give him an 'A'
• [34:41–36:38]: National coordinator comparison, stats vs. results

Final Evaluation and Outlook

• Both Doug and Bill give Matt Patricia a solid 'A' for his job so far, noting:
  • His adaptability and self-improvement.
  • Positive relationships with players.
  • Effectiveness of teaching and scheme implementation.
  • The “needle-threading” of installing complexity without confusing players.
  • Early on-field results: very low big plays allowed, high level of opponent confusion.
• Hosts caution that tougher opponents lie ahead and further challenges will be telling.
• Comparison to other high-profile defensive coordinator hires underlines Patricia's success relative to national peers.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers a thorough, engaging examination of Matt Patricia’s surprisingly smooth start at Ohio State. Listeners will come away understanding not just what’s working schematically, but how Patricia’s revamped approach and personality are fueling Ohio State’s defensive excellence. The insights into player development, coaching philosophy, and tactical innovation make this a must-listen (or must-read) for any Buckeye fan interested in more than just the box score.