COACHING
Matt Patricia enters his first season as a defensive coordinator and ninth year coaching in the NFL after being named defensive coordinator on May 10, 2012. Patricia spent five seasons as the Patriots' linebackers coach and one season coaching the safeties.
Last season, Patricia coached the safeties as part of a defensive unit that led the AFC in interceptions (23) and takeaways. Patricia's coaching also aided a Patriots defense that led the AFC in turnover differential (+17) and takeaways (34), which was tied for third highest in the NFL.
In 2010, inside linebacker and co-captain Jerod Mayo led the NFL with 193 tackles, earned a spot on the Associated Press All-Pro team and his first Pro Bowl berth. Gary Guyton became the first Patriots player to score two defensive touchdowns in a season since Tedy Bruschi in 2003 when he returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in the season opener vs. Cincinnati (9/12) and picked up a fumble for a 35 yard score at Chicago (12/12). Coach Patricia tutored a linebacking corps that allowed the eighth fewest points per game in 2010 (19.6), including an average of only 9.4 over the final five games.
In 2009, Mayo and Guyton finished first and second on the team in total tackles, and outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain became just the second Patriots player to record 10 sacks in the past 14 years. As a unit, the linebackers contributed 22 of the team's 31 sacks and helped limit opponents to an average of 17.8 points per game, fifth best in the NFL.
In 2008, Patricia tutored Mayo, the rookie linebacker who led the Patriots amd all NFL rookies and ranked 10th overall in the NFL in tackles. Overall, eight different players started games for the Patriots at linebacker that seaon, while Mayo excelled, earning Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
In 2007, Patriots linebackers contributed to a defense that ranked fourth in the league in yards allowed per game (288.3) and second in total sacks (47). Mike Vrabel tallied a career-high 12.5 sacks, the third-highest single-season total in Patriots history. Inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi led the team in tackles for the second straight year with 99 and veteran linebacker Junior Seau recorded a career-high three interceptions.
In 2006, the Patriots linebackers were a key component of a defense that set the franchise record in points allowed per game (14.81) and was ranked in the top 5 in the NFL in rush defense for the final 10 weeks of the season. The Patriots linebackers also helped hold the line on a defense that was tops in the league in opponents' fourth down conversions and passer rating within the 30-yard line.
In 2005, Patricia assisted in tutoring an offensive line that allowed just 28 sacks, marking the first time in a decade the Patriots had allowed fewer than 30 sacks in two straight seasons.
Prior to joining the Patriots, Patricia spent six seasons in the college ranks. Immediately preceding his move to the NFL, he was an offensive graduate assistant at Syracuse for three seasons. Prior to joining the Orangemen, he spent two seasons (1999-2000) as the defensive line coach at Amherst College. Patricia's first coaching experience came in 1996, when he served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
PLAYINGPatricia was a standout offensive lineman at R.P.I., playing both center and guard. He helped his senior class to an overall record of 31-8 and the Engineers won three ECAC Championships during his collegiate career.
PERSONALMatt Patricia was born on Sept. 13, 1974 and was raised in Sherrill, N.Y. He attended Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School, where he lettered in football and wrestling. He earned his bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from R.P.I. and later earned a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. Matt and his wife, Raina, were married in the summer of 2009 and have a son, Dominic.
