Patterson started his college football playing career at Contra Costa College from 1978 to 1980 as a defensive lineman. He then transferred to the University of Montana in 1981 before suffering a career-ending knee injury. Patterson graduated from Montana in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education.
Coaching career
High school and college
Patterson started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Montana. He then became an assistant coach at Renton High School from 1983 to 1986 and Saint Monica Catholic High School in 1987, where he also coached the varsity baseball team. He returned to the college football level in 1989 with Western Michigan as a defensive coordinator.
In 2007, Patterson returned to coaching high school football, becoming the offensive line coach at Regis Jesuit High School, where his son was an incoming freshman.
Return to collegiate level
Patterson became an assistant head coach and defensive line coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from 2008 to 2009.[1] He became the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) from 2010 to 2012.[2] His most recent college football stint was with Florida International University (FIU) in 2013 as an assistant head coach and defensive line coach.
Return to the NFL
Minnesota Vikings
In 2014, Patterson returned to the Minnesota Vikings as the defensive line coach under first-year head coach Mike Zimmer. Patterson led a strong defensive line in 2015, when the Vikings won their first NFC North Division title since 2009 and allowed the fifth-fewest points on defense.[3][4]
Patterson was given the title of assistant head coach, along with co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, by the Vikings on April 14, 2021.[5]
New York Giants
On February 10, 2022, Patterson was hired by the New York Giants to be the defensive line coach under head coach Brian Daboll.[6]
Personal life
Patterson and his wife, Donna, have two children: Andre Jr. and Ashmera.[citation needed]