Greg Schiano confirms he is staying at Ohio State, not leaving for Patriots

With National Signing Day taking place on Wednesday, Greg Schiano has given high Ohio State some much-needed clarity on what its coaching staff will look like for the upcoming season.

Schiano told Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports that he has decided to remain with the Buckeyes as defensive coordinator, despite rumors linking him to the New England Patriots in recent weeks.

Greg Schiano tells me he is staying at #OhioState contrary to reports from Monday that he was leaving for the Patriots. Big day for the Buckeyes. Schiano played a key part in landing top OT Nick Petit-Frere out of Tampa.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 7, 2018

The Patriots have an opening at defensive coordinator with Matt Patricia having been named the next head coach of the Detroit Lions, and Bill Belichick and Schiano are good friends. Reports as of Monday claimed Schiano had been offered a spot on Belichick’s staff but had not decided if he would take it.

Schiano’s decision to remain at Ohio State means Urban Meyer gets to keep his defensive coordinator for a third straight season, and it also likely means Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores is in line for a promotion. It’s possible that Flores, who was considered as a head coaching candidate with the Arizona Cardinals, was going to get the DC job in New England regardless of what Schiano decided to do.

As you know, Schiano was set to become the head coach at Tennessee recently before fans protested so hard that the school pulled its offer.