[2] Patterson began her coaching career in the NCAA as a recruiting coordinator for Indiana State University.

In 2005, Patterson worked as head coach of the Chicago Blaze of the National Women's Basketball League.

Prior to joining the Lynx in 2010, Patterson worked as an assistant coach with the Seattle Storm for three years.

She joined head coach Walt Hopkins in New York, with whom she spent the prior three seasons as an assistant in Minnesota.

"[3] On January 27, 2022, Patterson joined the Washington Mystics organization as an assistant coach after spending 2 years with the Liberty.