He has previously been a defensive line coach for the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings.
Patterson was the head football coach at California Polytechnic State University from 1994 to 1996.
He returned to the college football level in 1989 with Western Michigan as a defensive coordinator.
As head coach at Cal Poly, newly an FCS-level team, Patterson led the Mustangs to one American West Conference championship and recruited future pros including Kamil Loud and Antonio Warren.
Patterson then became a defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos.