Ohio State football: Buckeyes Co-DC Greg Mattison to retire
An Ohio State football staffer will retire after half a decade in coaching.
Ohio State football Co-Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison is calling it a career at the end of January after two seasons with the Buckeyes. He started his career as a high school head coach, a stint with the Baltimore Ravens, and 40 years as a collegiate assistant. He was one of seven to coach at both Ohio State and Michigan.
According to Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope, the announcement came Friday at Buckeyes Head Coach Ryan Day’s first press conference after the national championship game.
Mattison was someone who Day leaned on for advice given his wealth of experience, and he said that the linebackers Mattison coached would have stories to tell about what he meant to them and their development.
He spent two seasons with the Buckeyes coaching the Sam linebackers with Jeff Hafley in 2019 and Kerry Combs in 2020. Day spoke about his ability to cultivate respect and relationships during his career.
“He’s a special guy. He and Ann, his wife, have been so gracious to Nina and I in helping us in our first two years as head coach. His career speaks to itself. What he’s done and accomplished on the field, but more importantly, it’s what he’s done off the field. The relationship and respect he has around the country as one of the best coaches, and the impact he’s had on so many people,” Day said.
Ohio State football has options as they look to replace Greg Mattison
Coombs is the defensive play-caller for the Buckeyes, and Al Washington is the linebackers coach. If Day wants to keep things in house, he could make Coombs the defensive coordinator and Washington the main linebackers coach.
The Buckeyes allowed about 26 points and 401 yards per game last season. While they tied for third in the conference with 21 sacks, their secondary struggled to get takeaways. They picked off seven passes, and two went back to the house for touchdowns.
Day credits Mattison with helping the defense and team overall establish a winning culture.
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