New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel added a well-known HBCU coach to his staff.
Florida A&M defensive coordinator Milton Patterson is expected to join the Patriots coaching staff in a position that is to be determined.
A former Jackson State student-athlete, Patterson has served in many different roles for numerous HBCU programs since 2012.
In addition to his alma mater, Patterson has coached for Mississippi Valley State, Alabama State, Clark Atlanta, Fayetteville State, and most recently, Florida A&M.
He joined FAMU’s coaching staff in 2021, the Rattlers’ first year transitioning from the MEAC to the SWAC. Initially a defensive line coach, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2023 and given sole possession of the reins the following year.
The Jackson State alum led a Rattlers defensive unit that ranked in the top 10 in the country in scoring defense in two of his four seasons at the helm.
This includes a 2023 season in which he oversaw the vaunted ‘Dark Cloud’ defense that ranked third in the country, allowing 15.2 points per game, going on to claim the first SWAC championship and Celebration Bowl championship in school history.
Patterson is no stranger to coach Mike Vrabel, having worked with him as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in 2023 when he was head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
