Utah State has hired Keith Patterson, who has 15 years of collegiate coaching experience, as its defensive coordinator.
Patterson coached linebackers and defensive special teams at Arizona State last season, after serving as the Sun Devils’ defensive coordinator from 2014-16.
He has 11 years of experience as a coordinator, including stints at Tulsa, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. He was the interim head coach at Pitt during the 2011 season.
Prior to his college coaching experience, Patterson spent 16 years coaching high school football in Oklahoma and Texas.
Along with his defensive coordinator duties at Utah State, Patterson will coach the safeties.
With the hiring of Patterson, assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Frank Maile will continue to coach the defensive line, while assistant coach Julius Brown will work with the cornerbacks and assistant coach Stacy Collins will once again coach the inside linebackers.
“We are very excited to announce Keith Patterson as a member of our defensive staff,” said USU head coach Matt Wells. “Keith’s experience as a defensive coordinator and aggressive style will mesh very well with coach Maile and our current staff. Keith and I have spent several years coaching together previously and I know his work ethic, passion and energy will fit perfect into our Utah State football culture.”