Ohio has a new place on its defensive technical team.
Greg Mattison is due to retire in late January, after two seasons as defense co-coordinator for the Buckeyes, Ryan Day announced on Friday.
Mattison joined the Buckeyes in 2019, leaving Michigan to cross the lines of rivalry when Ryan Day took over as coach and renewed the defensive technical team. He served as defense co-coordinator for both seasons on the team, pairing with Jeff Hafley in 2019 and Kerry Coombs in 2020, while training as Sam’s linebacker position.
His decision to retire at the age of 71 came after 49 years as a coach, starting as head coach of the college and including a stint with the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL, along with more than 40 years as a college assistant.
Now, Day will have to determine the most effective way to replace Mattison on the team – a move that may be important due to the Buckeyes’ defensive struggles, specifically in passing defense, last season.
Day said the state of Ohio is working to find a replacement, but acknowledged that Mattison “will not be an easy guy to replace”.
Although Coombs was already the primary defensive coordinator last season, doubts remain about his ability to lead the defense on his own after the 2020 Buckeyes failed to pick up where Hafley left off, which could make it important for Mattison’s replacement to be another defensive co-coordinator who could make improvements to the defensive scheme.
Given that the Buckeyes already have a defensive player in Coombs and a linebacker at Al Washington, Day does not necessarily need to hire someone to play exactly the same role that Mattison did. Coombs may be the only defensive coordinator in the attack, and Washington may be the only coach for the linebackers.
After a disappointing first year of defense under Coombs’ leadership, however, this could be an opportunity for Day to shake things up as he sees fit to bring Ohio State defense back to its elite standard.