Milton Patterson enters his first season at Alabama State University as Associate Head Coach, Defensive Run Game Coordinator, and Defensive Ends Coach, with more than a decade of experience across the NFL, FCS, Division II, and HBCU football.
Patterson joined Alabama State in the spring of 2026 after serving as a Defensive Assistant with the New England Patriots on Mike Vrabel’s inaugural coaching staff. He helped a Patriots defense that led the NFL in rushing defense, ranked among the league leaders in scoring defense, and advanced to the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LX.
Before entering the NFL, Patterson spent four seasons at Florida A&M University, serving as Defensive Coordinator, Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach, and Defensive Line Coach. During that span, the Rattlers established themselves as one of the premier programs in FCS football, anchored by a defense that consistently ranked among the nation’s best.
The 2023 “Dark Cloud Defense” finished No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency defense and No. 2 in both total defense and scoring defense, while ranking in the Top 25 in 12 defensive categories and helping produce one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Known for developing front-seven talent, Patterson coached multiple All-Americans and All-SWAC performers at Florida A&M, including Anthony Dunn Jr., Gentle Hunt, Kamari Stephens, Savion Williams, and Isaiah Land. In 2021, Land delivered one of the most dominant defensive seasons in FCS history, leading the nation with 19.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss. He earned the Buck Buchanan Award, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, multiple All-America selections, and set a Florida A&M single-game record with five sacks against South Carolina State.
In 2022, Patterson helped develop a standout pass-rushing duo in Land and Stephens. Stephens recorded 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss on his way to All-America honors, while Land added 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss before beginning his professional career. Both earned First Team All-SWAC recognition.
Prior to Florida A&M, Patterson served as Defensive Coordinator at Fayetteville State University, where he coached future NFL defensive back Joshua Williams, later selected by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Earlier, he spent four seasons at Clark Atlanta University as Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach, and Director of Recruiting. The Panthers finished second in the SIAC and ranked among the nation’s defensive leaders during his tenure. Along with coordinating the defense, Patterson directed recruiting operations, managed scholarship allocation, and oversaw roster development.
Patterson previously served at Alabama State University in 2017 as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, working with the men’s and women’s track and field, cross country, tennis, and golf programs while supporting athletic development across the department.
From 2014-16, he was Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach, and Director of Sports Performance at Mississippi Valley State University after beginning his coaching career at Jackson State University as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach and Defensive Analyst from 2012-14.
A four-year letterman at Jackson State University, Patterson earned his bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Patterson and his wife are the proud parents of a young son.
