Patriots Sway Talented College Coach to Join 2025 Staff
By Chris Schad

The New England Patriots' coaching staff continues to take shape under Mike Vrabel, and Monday brought word of another key addition. The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed reports that former Florida A&M defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Milton Patterson has agreed to join the staff for the 2025 season.
Doug Marrone and Milton Patterson are also joining the Patriots' staff. https://t.co/lNaRedets0
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 27, 2025
Patterson has plenty of experience through the collegiate ranks before arriving in Foxborough. He began his coaching career as a defensive analyst and assistant strength coach at his alma mater, Jackson State, and became the director of sports performance, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Mississippi Valley State from 2014 to 2016.
Patterson then took over the assistant strength and conditioning coordinator role for Alabama State before earning his first defensive coordinator job (and director of recruiting title) at Clark-Atlanta University from 2017 to 2020. Following that DC stint, he spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Fayetteville State prior to his most recent role with the Ramblers in 2021.
Though Patterson's role is unknown at the moment, he figures to be with the linebackers due to his coaching experience. Patterson played a role in developing current Indianapolis Colts edge rusher Isaiah Land and helped the Rattlers form a defense that ranked in the top 25 in 12 defensive categories in 2023, including the top-ranked passing efficiency defense and the second-ranked defense in total yardage and scoring.
The former college linebacker also has previous experience with Vrabel, as he spent time with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 through NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
Mike Vrabel’s Defensive Staff Continues to Take Shape with New England Patriots
Patterson’s hiring is the latest move as Vrabel constructs his coaching staff after being hired to replace Jerod Mayo on Jan. 12. While Vrabel has hired Josh McDaniels (offensive coordinator), Ashton Grant (quarterbacks coach), Tony Dews (running backs coach) and Doug Marrone (offensive line) to his offensive staff, the defensive staff remains largely unfilled with Patterson and Williams in place.
However, this side of the ball is starting to get its leaders, with Terell Williams brought in as defensive coordinator. Patterson will likely work with linebackers, given his extensive background coaching that position.
It will be a tall task for Vrabel and his staff to fix a unit that ranked 22nd in points allowed (417) and yards allowed (5,829) last season, but Patterson’s arrival will be one of the first steps in the process.
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