Patke Named Outside Linebackers Coach
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami head coach Mark Richt announced the hiring of Jonathan Patke as outside linebackers coach Thursday.
Patke, who has spent the previous two seasons as a Hurricanes quality control analyst on defense, joins the coaching staff in a full-time capacity as the 10th assistant coach.
“We are excited to elevate Coach Patke to this new role on our staff,” Richt said. “He has worked incredibly hard over the past two years and will continue to help our defense improve.”
Patke has worked directly with defensive coordinator Manny Diaz since his arrival at UM, assisting with the Hurricanes’ linebackers.
“It’s a blessing,” Patke said. “To become a full-time assistant coach here at Miami under Coach Richt and Coach Diaz, it’s a godsend. Working with our players and seeing the success we had this year, and being able to continue to build on that, it’s a dream come true.
“When I came to Coral Gables, what really stood out to me was the history of this program and the love the city has for the Hurricanes. You learn to love it just as much. The amount of talent you can get here – great, great players that truly love Miami – is what sets this program apart.”
In Patke’s second season as a quality control analyst in 2017, the Hurricanes ranked among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories, including first nationally in team sacks, third nationally in tackles for loss and ninth nationally in opponent yards per play. Thanks in large part to its dominating defense, Miami also ranked No. 5 nationally in turnover margin, No. 8 nationally in fumbles recovered and No. 15 nationally in passes intercepted.
Miami’s defense enjoyed served as one of the top units both in the ACC and nationally in Patke’s first season at Miami in 2016.
At the conclusion of the 2016 season, Miami was ranked No. 20 nationally in total defense (up from No. 69 the previous season), No. 9 in yards per play (No. 86 in 2015), No. 12 in scoring defense (No. 77 in 2015), No. 5 in tackles for loss (No. 105 in 2015), No. 22 in team sacks (No. 70 in 2015) and tied for No. 8 in defensive touchdowns allowed (No. 61 in 2015).
Miami was the only team in the country to start three true freshmen linebackers, and the Hurricanes’ trio of Zach McCloud, Michael Pinckney and Shaquille Quarterman helped anchor the unit.
Patke arrived in Coral Gables after spending the 2015 season as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State, where he also worked with Diaz on the defensive side of the ball.
During his lone season in Starkville, Patke helped guide the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record and a victory in the 2015 Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. In addition, the Bulldogs set a school record for tackles for loss and ranked 10th nationally during the 2015 campaign.
Before joining the coaching staff at Mississippi State, Patke worked with Diaz at Louisiana Tech in 2014 and helped guide the Bulldogs to a 9-5 record. Louisiana Tech also captured the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl, defeating Illinois 35-18. Louisiana Tech’s defensive unit ranked No. 1 in the country in turnovers gained and interceptions, and ranked second nationally in tackles for loss.
Patke began his coaching career in 2011 at University of The Incarnate Word, working with current Miami safeties coach Ephraim Banda. He spent two years at UIW and earned his master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on sports management.
Patke received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2008. He also played linebacker at SFA for four years (2004-08) and was a three-year starter.
