While it remains uncertain whether Gus Malzahn will land a first-team All-SEC performer to help his first-year Arkansas State offense, the former Auburn offensive coordinator has found his coaching leader for the other side of the ball.
In a press release, ASU announced the hiring of Keith Patterson as Malzahn’s first Red Wolves defensive coordinator. Patterson is currently the interim head coach at Pittsburgh, and will coach the Panthers in the BBVA Compass Bowl Saturday before beginning his new job.
“I am excited to bring Coach Patterson on board and we welcome him to our Arkansas State family,” said Malzahn in a statement. “We are getting one of the nation’s top tier defensive coordinators and one of the top defensive minds in college football.”
Patterson is completing his first and only season at Pitt, having been hired as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach by Todd Graham roughly a year ago. Prior to his short stint with Pitt, Patterson spent eight seasons at Tulsa, where he coached with Malzahn during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He was the coordinator for the final five seasons with the Golden Hurricanes.