Ohio State football’s shaking things up for the 2026 season, and honestly, it’s hard not to notice. Head coach Ryan Day has put the finishing touches on a staff that rewards loyalty but also brings in new faces—clearly, the Buckeyes aren’t messing around about chasing another national title.
Big contracts are flying around, too. It’s not subtle—Ohio State is all-in on keeping this program at the top.
Ohio State’s 2026 Coaching Staff: Key Contracts and Salaries
The Buckeyes have pieced together a 2026 staff that mixes fresh hires with trusted veterans. A public records request by Bucknuts turned up some eye-popping contract details, underscoring just how serious the university is about staying elite.
Matt Patricia: Highest-Paid Coordinator in the Nation
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia landed a three-year deal that makes him the highest-paid coordinator in college football. Starting February 1, 2026, Patricia’s contract runs through January 31, 2029, and pays $3.75 million in 2026, bumping to $3.85 million in 2027.
That’s a pretty wild commitment, but it says a lot about how much Ohio State values his defensive mind.
New Additions to the Coaching Staff
Some new names are joining the Buckeyes, each bringing their own flavor to the mix:
- Arthur Smith: The new offensive coordinator, coming over from the NFL, signed a two-year contract starting January 27, 2026. Smith gets $1.5 million in his first year, jumping to $2 million in 2027.
- Robby Discher: Special teams coordinator from Illinois, on a two-year deal beginning February 1, 2026. Discher’s set for $400,000 in 2026 and $450,000 in 2027.
Returning Coaches and Their New Contracts
Continuity matters, and Ohio State’s not letting key assistants walk:
- Larry Johnson: Veteran defensive line coach, locked in for one year at $1.6 million, from February 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
- James Laurinaitis: Linebackers coach, on a two-year deal—$900,000 in 2026, $950,000 in 2027.
- Carlos Locklyn: Running backs coach, two years, $700,000 and $750,000.
- Billy Fessler: Quarterbacks coach, two years, $750,000 in 2026, $800,000 in 2027.
- Keenan Bailey: Tight ends coach, extended for two years at $1 million and $1.1 million.
Additional Key Staff Members
Other crucial coaches are sticking around, too:
- Tim Walton: Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach, in year two of a three-year deal, making $1.8 million in 2026.
- Matt Guerrieri: Defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach, earning $1 million in 2026.
- Tyler Bowen: Offensive line coach and run game coordinator, also set for $1 million this year.
Performance-Based Bonuses
Like you’d expect, these contracts come with postseason bonuses. There’s extra cash if the Buckeyes win the Big Ten, and more for making or advancing in the College Football Playoff. Go all the way? The bonuses get pretty hefty.
Financial Commitment to Excellence
Ohio State’s assistant salary pool is jumping from $11.75 million in 2025 to $15.3 million in 2026. That kind of leap really drives home how serious they are about keeping top coaches in Columbus.
Recruiting and Future Prospects
The 2025 season ended in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, but nobody’s dwelling on that for long. The staff’s already hustling on recruiting and working the transfer portal to load up for another run.
One name to keep an eye on: Asher Ghioto, a Top100 defensive lineman out of Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles School. He’s getting attention from all over, and honestly, his recruitment could get interesting fast.
For the full scoop on contracts and more Buckeye updates, check out the article on 247Sports.
Ohio State’s coaching staff is looking pretty solid right now. They’re putting a lot of effort into recruiting top talent, too.
Ryan Day, the head coach, has been making some interesting strategic choices. The university is clearly backing its assistant coaches financially, which says a lot about their priorities.
With spring practice right around the corner, there’s a sense of anticipation in the air. Buckeye fans are probably already dreaming about another run at the national championship—who wouldn’t be?
If you want to keep up with the latest Buckeye news, you can follow Patrick Murphy on Twitter and Instagram.
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