Matt Patricia returns to the New England Patriots for his 15th season with the organization, and his first as a senior football advisor. Patricia rejoins New England after two-plus seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions. Prior to being named head coach of the Lions, Patricia was New England's defensive coordinator from 2012-17.
Patricia originally joined the Patriots in 2004 as a coaching assistant and enjoyed immediate success, by helping coach the Patriots to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIX. The following season, Patricia aided Dante Scarnecchia as assistant offensive line coach in a season in which the injury-riddled running back corps combined to rush for 1,388 yards.
Patricia then spent five seasons from 2006-10 as the Patriots linebackers coach and one season coaching the safeties before becoming defensive coordinator in 2012. While coaching the Patriots defense from 2006-17, the team finished in the top-10 in fewest points allowed in 11 of those 12 seasons. Patricia's 2016 defense finished as the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL by allowing only 15.6 points per game and the six rushing touchdowns allowed by his defense were fewest in the league last season. Patricia has also helped the Patriots lead the NFL in turnover differential in 2012 (+25) and 2010 (+28) and finished first in the AFC in 2011 (+17). The plus-28 turnover differential in 2010 is tied with the 2011 San Francisco 49ers for the second highest single-season differential in the NFL since 1970.
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 Orange, he spent two seasons (1999-2000) as the defensive line coach at Amherst College. Patricia worked as an aeronautical engineer for two years before returning to coaching at Amherst in 1999. Patricia's first coaching experience came in 1996, when he served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Patricia 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.
Matt 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, have two sons, Dominic and Dante, and a daughter, Giamina.
