David Patrick, a veteran collegiate and international coach with 19 years of coaching experience, concluded his second season as Sacramento State’s head coach in 2023-24. Patrick was named the 15th head coach of Hornet men’s basketball on April 5, 2022.
Patrick began laying the foundation in 2022-23, guiding the Hornets to 14 victories. That was easily the most wins by a first-year head coach in Sacramento State’s Div. I era (1991-pres.), and the third best mark in program history (1948-pres.). In addition, the team was a top six seed at the Big Sky Conference Tournament for just the second time in 16 years. In fact, the Hornets received a first round bye at the tournament for the first time since joining the conference in 1996.
Last season (2023-24), the Hornets’ semifinal appearance at the Big Sky Tournament marked the first time the team had won two games at the postseason event since joining the league in 1996. Sacramento State fell in the semifinals in a tightly contested 74-71 loss to eventual tournament champion Montana State. In addition, the Hornets were one of four Div. I teams in the country to play their freshmen over 40% of the team’s total minutes.
Patrick promised the Hornets would defend and rebound, and Sacramento State has done exactly that. The Hornets have led the Big Sky in rebounding margin both seasons of Patrick’s tenure, and finished among the top 25 teams in the nation both years. That includes ranking 22nd with a +6.4 margin in 2023-24, and 18th in the nation with a +6.0 in 2022-23. In addition, the Hornets have finished third in the league both seasons in scoring defense.
A renowned recruiter with worldwide connections, Patrick, 48, has been a part of winning teams at every stop of his coaching career. He has recruited 11 players that have played in the NBA (including seven draft picks - four first rounders) and has coached 28 players that have gone on to play professionally, including 19 in the NBA.
A native of Bermuda who moved to Australia at the age of 10, Patrick did not come to the United States until his senior year of high school. After playing professionally overseas, he entered the coaching ranks where he began putting together impressive recruiting classes while coaching with some of college basketball’s brightest minds, including Porter Moser, Eric Musselman, Randy Bennett and Jamie Dixon. He also played collegiately for Jim Boeheim.
COACHING EXPERIENCE/WINNING
• At every stop of Patrick’s coaching career, his teams have won.
• 2023-24: Sacramento State head coach - The Hornets’ semifinal appearance at the Big Sky Tournament marked the first time the team had won two games at the postseason event since joining the league in 1996. In addition, the Hornets were one of four Div. I teams in the country to play their freshmen over 40% of the team’s total minutes. For the second straight season, the team ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation in rebounding margin.
• 2022-23: Sacramento State head coach - 14 wins are easily the most in the Hornets’ Div. I era (1991-pres.) for a first-year head coach, and third best mark in program history (1948-pres.). Sacramento State finished first in the conference in rebounding (18th in the nation), and third in points allowed. The Hornets were a top six seed at the Big Sky Tournament for the just the second time in 16 years, and received a first round bye at the tournament for the first time ever.
• 2021-22: Oklahoma associate head coach - NIT Second Round. Was the team’s defensive coordinator and the Sooners finished among the top 50 teams in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 65.0 points per game.
• 2020-21: Arkansas associate head coach - NCAA Tournament Elite 8. Finished 25-7 and Arkansas made its deepest run in the NCAA Tournament since 1996. As defensive coordinator, the Razorback defense went from 12th in the SEC the year before his arrival to fifth under his guidance.
• 2018-20: UC Riverside head coach - In his second season, he led the Highlanders to the most wins (17) in the program’s Div. I era, and received invitations to play in the CIT and CBI before the pandemic put a halt to those tournaments. The Highlanders went 9-22 the year before his arrival. He was a finalist for the Hugh Durham Coach of the Year award, given annually to the top mid-major men’s basketball head coach. The 2019-20 team finished eighth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 60.6 points per game.
• 2019-pres: Australian National Team assistant coach - Served as assistant coach with the team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Helped coach the team to a bronze medal at the 2021 Olympics, Australia’s first men’s basketball Olympic medal. The 2019 team reached the FIBA World Cup Final Four, which included the country’s first-ever win over the United States.
• 2016-18: TCU assistant head coach - In his first season, TCU won the 2017 NIT championship, and improved its win total (24) by 12 games from the previous season. It was the program’s first postseason championship. The Horned Frogs won 20+ games both seasons, including the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance (2018) in 20 years and a No. 6 seed.
• 2012-16: LSU assistant head coach - LSU increased its win total each of his first three years on staff, culminating in a 2015 NCAA Tournament appearance, the program’s first since 2009. The Tigers also qualified for the 2014 NIT.
• 2010-12: Houston Rockets player personnel scout - Scouted for NBA and NCAA prospects. Participated on the Rockets trade and draft committees.
• 2006-10: Saint Mary’s associate head coach - Saint Mary’s improved each season during his four years, culminating in a 2010 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance, West Coast Conference Tournament championship and then school-record 28 wins. The program also reached the 2008 NCAA Tournament, and 2009 NIT quarterfinals.
• 2005-06: Nicholls State assistant coach - In his lone season, the program went 19-10, a nine-win improvement from the previous season before Patrick arrived.
RECRUITING
• Patrick has been an elite recruiter throughout his career, not only tapping into United States talent, but he has also recruited heavily in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Germany. In fact, the Hornets’ roster in 2023-24 will include players from Australia, South Sudan, Canada, England, Finland and Bahrain. There are four Australians on the roster.
• Has recruited seven players that were eventual NBA draft picks, including first rounders Ben Simmons (#1 overall pick), Moses Moody (#14 overall pick), Jarell Martin (#25 overall pick) and Desmond Bane (#30 overall pick). Simmons is also the godson of Patrick. Also recruited second rounders Patty Mills, Jordan Mickey and Johnny O’Bryant.
• Has recruited 19 players that went on to play professionally, including 11 that reached the NBA.
• Has coached 19 NBA players, including eight that play for the Australian national team.
• UC Riverside’s 2019-20 recruiting class was named best in the Big West Conference.
• As recruiting coordinator at TCU, he put together the top recruiting class in program history.
• As recruiting coordinator at LSU, he brought in a pair of top five national recruiting classes. That included No. 3 in 2015, and No. 5 in 2013. Recruited and signed National Freshman of the Year and eventual No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons.
• As recruiting coordinator at Saint Mary’s, he recruited Australians (and eventual NBA players) Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova. Five of his recruits were named first team all-WCC.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
• A point guard, Patrick played professionally four years overseas, including stops in Spain, England and Australia.
• Named the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2000 while playing for the Canberra Cannons.
• Played in 28 games his freshman season at Syracuse for head coach Jim Boeheim, helping the 1995-96 team reach the NCAA Tournament national championship game.
• Transferred to Louisiana (then named Southwestern Louisiana) where he finished his collegiate career (1997-00) and earned his degree in 2000 in General Studies.
• Came to the United States for his senior year of high school after representing the Australian Junior National Team.
• Named the 1995 Louisiana Player of the Year as he led Baton Rouge’s The Chapel Trafton School (now The Dunham School) to the state quarterfinals.
• Also chosen to participate in the Louisiana State High School All-Star Game.
• Was inducted into the The Dunham School (formerly Chapel Trafton School) Hall of Fame in April of 2024.
PERSONAL
• Patrick and his wife, Cassie, have two daughters - Bailee (18) and Madison (13) who were born in Northern California.
• Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
• Alma mater: Louisiana (2000, General Studies)
• High School: The Chapel Trafton School (Baton Rouge, La.)
