Patterson returns to the Lane Dragons family as the eighth Director of Athletics in school history. He most recently served as the fourth Director of Athletics at Rust College. With over a decade of collegiate coaching and administrative experience, Patterson has been an integral part of all phases of athletic department operations. At Rust College, he created and implemented athletic policies and procedures, improved safety measures through equipment repair and replacement, ensured the use of appropriate protective equipment, and supervised scheduling and transportation for all athletic events.
He enhanced the performance and visibility of the sports program as a respected member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), where teams competed successfully and won numerous championships. Patterson reviewed and provided direction for all athletic contracts and grants, player eligibility reports, athletic budget preparation and management, and oversaw administrative processes related to budgets, student-athlete eligibility, and academic progress.
Coach Patterson’s collegiate coaching career includes the 2023 season at Mississippi Valley State University, where he served as Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach. His special teams unit led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in kickoff return yards, ranked fourth in yards per return, finished in the top five in kickoff coverage, and led the nation in fake punts with a perfect 5-for-5 conversion rate.
At Lane, Patterson’s 2021 and 2022 special teams units led the SIAC in kickoff return yards, touchdowns, and blocked punts while he served as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. His defensive units earned national recognition, finishing the 2016 season ranked No. 1 in Total Defense in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and No. 10 nationally. In 2017, the defense ranked No. 12 nationally in Total Defense, followed by a No. 20 national ranking in 2018. Several of Patterson’s players earned All-SIAC honors, including multiple All-American linebackers.
From 2012–15, Patterson served as head football coach of a semi-professional team in Cleveland, Mississippi, compiling a 41–9 record and capturing back-to-back Magnolia League championships.
Patterson is actively involved in community service initiatives focused on social, human, and health services to enhance the lives of others. He mentors young students, is a devoted member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and currently serves as the Lane College huddle leader. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he has served as South Central Regional Vice President.
He has completed four prestigious professional development programs, including the 2018 and 2019 NFL Career Forum (Front Office), the 2021 NCAA + NFL Football Coaches Academy, and the 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Academy. In January 2022, he was selected to serve as Head Football Coach of Team Crusader in the Dream Bowl, a college all-star game held during Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend in Roanoke, Virginia, featuring top FCS, Division II, and Division III student-athletes evaluated for the NFL Draft.
On May 27, 2022, Patterson was named to the FootballScoop Rising Stars Watch List, selected from hundreds of nominations spanning NFL coaches, collegiate programs, and scouts nationwide.
As an administrator, Patterson instills the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, healthy competition, camaraderie, civility, and goodwill. He emphasizes academic excellence and maintains that graduation is the standard for all student-athletes.
Jeremy C. Patterson is a native of Cleveland, Mississippi, and a proud Lane College alumnus, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. He holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Northcentral University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Leadership at Mississippi State University. AD Patterson is a distinguished achiever both academically and athletically.
