Ohio State is replacing defensive coordinator Greg Schiano with a pair of new defensive coaches, one of them a longtime assistant from rival Michigan.
Former Wolverine defensive line coach Greg Mattison and former San Francisco 49ers assistant Jeff Hafley will join the Buckeyes as co-defensive coordinators, the school announced Monday afternoon. The significant shake-up to the coaching staff comes at the conclusion of Ryan Day’s first week as the program’s new head coach.
“I love the idea of having two coordinators on defense,” Day said in a press release. “I like having a diversity of opinion, but even more I like the expertise and experience that Jeff has in the secondary coupled with the expertise that Greg brings to the front seven.”
Day and Hafley worked together for one season of the 49ers staff under Chip Kelly in 2016. Day also worked with Mattison on Urban Meyer’s staff at Florida in 2005.
Mattison comes to Columbus after spending the last eight seasons at Michigan. He spent 13 total seasons, including a stint in the early 1990s, coaching the Buckeyes’ chief rival. Sources told ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren that Michigan offered Mattison a two-year contract extension and a pay increase prior to his departure.
Schiano leaves the program after three seasons as defensive coordinator under Meyer. Schiano had been working under a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, with a source telling ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg that the contract expires on Jan. 31.
In another shake up on the defensive coaching staff, Day has promoted defensive line coach Larry Johnson to associate head coach.