Clay Patterson - Football Coach - University of Minnesota Athletics

Clay Patterson

Title:
Tight Ends Coach

Clay Patterson joined the Minnesota coaching staff in January 2018 and coaches tight ends. Patterson came to Minnesota after serving as head coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M for two seasons.

In 2020, Gopher tight ends caught two of Minnesota's seven passing touchdowns and also blocked for Minnesota's potent rushing attack, led by Mohamed Ibrahim. Behind the offensive line and Minnesota's bruising tight ends, Ibrahim set school records in season rushing yards per game (153.7), consecutive 100-yard rushing games (8) and touchdowns in consecutive games (8). He tied school records in most rushing touchdowns in a game (4), most rushing touchdowns in a first half (4), most rushing touchdowns in one half (4) and consecutive 200-yard rushing games (2).

In 2019, Minnesota's tight ends excelled under Patterson. They helped block for one of the most prolific offenses in school history, as the Gophers totaled 5,616 yards (third most in school history), threw for 3,293 yards (school record) and scored 443 points (second most in school history in the modern era).

Gopher tight ends were used sparingly in the passing game, but thrived when their number was called. The tight ends combined to catch 10 passes for 88 yards and two scores. Brevyn Spann-Ford's first carer catch was a 12-yard touchdown and Bryce Witham made two critical catches - his first of the season - in an Outback Bowl win against Auburn. Witham snagged a one-yard touchdown from Seth Green in the second quarter and then picked up a critical first down late in the fourth quarter with a spectacular one-handed catch that essentially sealed Minnesota's win against the No. 9 Tigers.

Patterson, who is from Morris, Okla., led the Norseman to a 9-3 record in 2017 after going 5-5 in 2016. In 2017, the program claimed its first Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) championship since 2003 and played in its first bowl game since 2012. Patterson earned conference coach of the year honors as his team averaged 524.5 yards per game (253.8 rushing and 270.6 passing) and 36.2 points per game.

Prior to his time at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Patterson spent three seasons at Trinity Valley Community College, as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his time at Trinity Valley, he helped lead the team to five SWJCFC championships (three conference and two conference playoff) and to two Heart of Texas Bowl championships. His offense broke the all-time yards per game record at any level of football with 656.1 yards per game during the 2015 season.

Other National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) records set under Patterson’s leadership included total offense (7,778 yards in 2014), yards per game (656.1 in 2015), and plays in a season (938 in 2014). Patterson coached 35 games as offensive coordinator for Trinity Valley. His team scored more than 50 points 23 times, more than 60 points 13 times and more than 70 points eight times. The team was 29-5 while he was at Trinity Valley and averaged 54 points per game and 604 yards per game.

Patterson spent six seasons as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M University-Kingsville before heading to Trinity Valley. His Javelina offense broke 28 individual and 17 team passing records, as it claimed one Lone Star Conference championship and made two playoff appearances.

The Morris, Okla., native played at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M from 1999-2000 before finishing his career at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in health, human performance and recreation and his master’s degree in education technology.

Patterson is married to the former Ashley Holt.

PATTERSON AT A GLANCE

Coaching Experience
2018-present: Minnesota - Tight Ends
2016-17: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College – Head Coach
2013-15: Trinity Valley Community College – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
2007-13: Texas A&M University-Kingsville – Offensive Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach
2006: Tarleton State University - Wide Receivers
2003-05: Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Wide Receivers

Playing Experience: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (tight end), 1999-00; Southeastern Oklahoma State University (wide receiver), 2001-02

Birthday: Feb. 23, 1981

Hometown: Morris, Okla.

High School: Morris High School, 1999

Alma Mater: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 2003 (health physical education & recreation) and 2005 (education technology)

Wife: Ashley