BREAKING NEWS: Former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia Now Defensive Coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes has publicly delivered a surprising message aimed directly at current Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

In a move that has reignited conversation around one of the NFL’s most polarizing tenures, **former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia**, now serving as **defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes**, has publicly delivered a **surprising and pointed message** aimed directly at current Lions head coach **Dan Campbell** — and it’s stirred strong reactions from fans on both sides of the story.

Patricia, who was let go by the Lions in 2020 after a tumultuous and often criticized stint, spoke candidly during an interview on **The Columbus Gridiron Podcast**, where he was asked about Detroit’s recent resurgence under Campbell and how it compares to his own time in the Motor City.

> “I’ll be honest,” Patricia began. “Dan’s done a good job rallying the team and creating a culture the players clearly believe in. But let’s not forget — some of those building blocks, some of that foundation, were put in place during my time there. It’s not all brand new.”

The remark — while subtle — carried weight. And as the interview continued, Patricia became more direct in his commentary.

> “You can have all the emotion and fire in the world, but coaching’s about more than slogans and hype,” he said. “It’s about discipline, structure, and knowing how to win in the long haul. That’s what I was trying to bring. Sometimes that gets lost in the noise.”

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### **A Complicated Legacy: Patricia’s Detroit Fallout**

Matt Patricia arrived in Detroit in 2018 with high expectations after serving as defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots. But his time with the Lions was marked by internal friction, player dissatisfaction, and disappointing on-field results. He went 13–29–1 as head coach before being dismissed during the 2020 season.

In contrast, **Dan Campbell**, hired in 2021, has led a dramatic culture shift. Under his emotional, no-nonsense leadership, the Lions made a deep playoff run in 2023, falling just short of a Super Bowl appearance — and in the process, won the hearts of a fan base hungry for success.

Patricia didn’t deny Campbell’s impact, but his comments seemed to suggest that Campbell’s era has benefitted from groundwork laid during a much tougher rebuild.

> “There were tough decisions we made back then — personnel, philosophy, all of it,” Patricia said. “Maybe I wasn’t the right guy to finish the job, but I don’t think it’s fair to pretend it all started in 2021.”

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### **Dan Campbell Responds with Class and Fire**

When reporters brought up Patricia’s comments at Lions OTA media availability, **Dan Campbell** didn’t hesitate to respond — but in true Campbell fashion, he kept it focused and respectful.

> “Listen, I’m not here to rewrite history or worry about what came before me,” Campbell said. “Matt had his time, and I respect anybody who puts in the work. But this is a new era. This team’s identity — the grit, the toughness, the belief — that’s what we’ve built together. And it’s real.”

Campbell added:

> “Our players know who we are. Our fans know who we are. And we’re just getting started.”

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### **Fan Reaction: Emotional and Divided**

Lions fans immediately took to social media, many expressing frustration with Patricia’s attempt to tie himself to the team’s current success.

> “He went 13-29 and alienated half the locker room. Let Dan cook,” one fan tweeted.

> “This is the most Lions football has mattered in decades. We’re not looking back,” said another.

But a few fans acknowledged that while Patricia’s tenure was rough, every era contributes in some way to a franchise’s evolution.

> “Fair or not, the lows of Patricia helped set the stage for the highs under Campbell. Still — maybe let the results speak for themselves.”

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### **A New Chapter for Patricia — and the Buckeyes**

Now leading the defense at **Ohio State**, Patricia appears focused on reviving his coaching brand at the college level. Early reports from Buckeye spring practices suggest he’s brought structure, intensity, and an NFL mindset to the program’s defense.

> “I’ve learned a lot,” Patricia said. “About people, about leadership, and about myself. At Ohio State, I’m doing what I love — teaching, leading, and building a defense from the ground up. That’s where my focus is.”

Still, his comments about the Lions show that the past hasn’t completely faded — and perhaps, that a part of him still feels unresolved about how things ended in Detroit.

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### **BOTTOM LINE:**

Matt Patricia’s surprise message to Dan Campbell may have been layered in praise, but its subtext — a reminder of his own role in the Lions’ long rebuild — was unmistakable. Whether viewed as a justified reflection or a misguided grab for relevance, the timing and tone ensure that one thing is clear:

**The Detroit Lions are moving forward.** And no matter how loud the voices from the past get, **Dan Campbell is steering this ship now — with the full weight of the city behind him.**