With the addition of a tenth assistant to all FBS teams, the Miami Hurricanes have added Jonathan Patke to the position of outside linebackers coach to their coaching staff.
Patke was already working part-time on the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff as a Defensive quality control analyst. His new position bumps him up to a full-time assistant.
Patke has already been working with Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz and the linebacking core. Under their tutelage, the Hurricanes started three true Freshmen linebackers in 2016. Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney both earned true Freshmen All-American honors from ESPN in 2016. Zach McCloud also had big impacts.
Patke has been a protege of Diaz’s for years. He worked under him as a Graduate Assistant on the defensive side of the ball at Diaz’s stops at Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State before Diaz joined Mark Richt’s staff as the Defensive Coordinator at Miami for the 2016 season.
Patke was a three-year starter at FCS Stephen F. Austin where he attended from 2004-08. Former Texas Tech Coach Spike Dykes and NFL Head Coach Bum Phillips are among the Lumberjacks alums.
With Patke on the staff, the Hurricanes have assembled one of the best defenses in the country. Patke helped Miami become one of the most productive defenses in the country this season. Miami was third in the country this season in tackles for loss, first in sacks and third in turnovers.