He served as the head football coach at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri from 1950 to 1967, compiling a record of 133–33–9.
Patterson served for four years in the United States Navy during World War II as a gunnery officer and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander.
In December of that year, he was hired as head football coach and athletic director at William Jewell.
[3] Patterson stepped down as football coach and athletic director at William Jewell in 1968 and took a role as coordinator of special projects with the school.
In early 1969, he was named director of athletic and psychical education at United States International University.