Report: Ohio State Expected To Add Former Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator To Coaching Staff

Ohio State’s coaching staff is likely getting bigger. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Saturday that the Buckeyes are expected to hire longtime NFL assistant coach and former defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, Josh Boyer.

Although it’s unclear what position Boyer would occupy with the Buckeyes, he would likely join the program as a defensive coach for the upcoming season. The native of Heath, Ohio, started his NFL coaching career on the Patriots’ staff as a defensive assistant. Boyer occupied that role from 2006-08 before being promoted to defensive backs coach.

Boyer, who coached in New England until 2018, worked on the same staff as current Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Patricia was the Patriots’ linebackers coach from 2006-2010, the team’s safeties coach in 2011 and the defensive coordinator from 2012-17.

Boyer, who helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls during his time with the team, didn’t have quite as much success in Miami. During his first year as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2020, Boyer led the Dolphins to a sixth-best finish in scoring defense, but by his last season in 2022, the Dolphins ranked just 24th in scoring defense.

Still, with plenty of NFL coaching experience and a connection with Patricia, Boyer could become a valuable part of the Buckeyes’ coaching staff.