AC Patterson was hired at Sacramento State as the co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach in December of 2024.
No stranger to the Big Sky Conference, Patterson had two stints at Portland State, including serving as the Vikings' assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and running backs coach. In 2023, Patterson’s offense averaged 33.8 points per game and ranked fifth in the nation in rushing at 224.0 yards per game — the most by a PSU team in seven seasons. The following season, the team averaged 29.3 ppg and 203.2 rushing ypg. Dante Chachere was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the FCS, finishing the year with 1,970 passing yards and 723 rushing yards while accounting for 24 touchdowns.
Known for his recruiting acumen, Patterson has played a vital role in the Vikings’ outstanding signing classes prior to the 2023 and 2024 seasons. PSU’s 2023 class was rated number one in the Big Sky and third in the nation by 247Sports.com. The following year, Patterson was named the top recruiter in the FCS and Big Sky Conference by 247Recruiting.
Patterson returned to the Portland State coaching staff in 2022 after a three-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
When Patterson was originally hired at Portland State in 2015, he was the youngest (22) Division I football coach in the country. During his first two years at PSU Patterson produced quality offensive line play that had been a standard at Portland State for many years. Those two seasons ranked among the top four rushing performances in PSU history.
Four Viking starters earned all-Big Sky Conference honors in 2015. Tackle Kyle Smith was named second team, tackle Mike Davis and guard/center Cam Keizur were named to the third team, and guard Randin Crecelius earned honorable mention. In 2016, Keizer was named first team, Crecelius earned third team and Tyshon Mosley was named honorable mention All-Big Sky.
In 2017, Patterson moved over to assist in coaching running backs. In 2018, Patterson took over as tight ends coach and the all-important responsibility of recruiting coordinator. Patterson guided Charlie Taumoepeau to all-conference and All-American honors.
Patterson served as an offensive quality control and assistant running backs coach with Minnesota from 2019-21.
Patterson played offensive line at UTEP from 2011-12. Due to knee injuries and four surgeries he had to retire from collegiate football. However, Patterson became a student assistant under Mike Price at UTEP. He assisted with recruiting, doing film breakdown and player reports, and also did UTEP game film breakdown.
In 2014, Patterson served as a volunteer assistant coach at Jefferson High School in El Paso.
Patterson starred at Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas earning all-league and all-state honors. His team won back-to-back state titles.
He comes from a coaching family as his father, Andre, coached 14 years in the NFL, including with the Minnesota Vikings) and 14 years collegiately.
AC graduated from UTEP with a degree in history in 2014. He and his wife, Mary, have one son.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2022-24: Portland State (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach)
2019-21: Minnesota Vikings (Offensive Quality Control/Assistant Running Backs)
2015-18: Portland State (Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs/Offensive Line)
2014: Jefferson HS (Assistant Coach)
2013: UTEP (Student Assistant)
