Full Breakdown
Kansas State University Appoints Cory Patterson as Running Backs Coach
12/31/2025, 2:29:12 AM
New Coaching Addition to the Wildcats Staff
Kansas State University has announced the hiring of Cory Patterson as the new running backs coach under first-year head coach Collin Klein. Patterson joins the Wildcats after a season at Oklahoma State, where he coached running backs and contributed to a combined rushing total of 1,172 yards and six touchdowns. His previous coaching experience includes roles at Illinois and Purdue, where he demonstrated a strong track record in player development.
Background and Experience
Cory Patterson has accumulated significant coaching experience within the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences over the past eight years. At Illinois, he served as the running backs coach from 2021 to 2022, guiding Chase Brown to an All-America season in 2022. Under Patterson's mentorship, Brown rushed for 1,643 yards and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, showcasing his ability to develop talent effectively. Prior to his tenure at Illinois, Patterson was the tight ends coach from 2018 to 2020 and also spent time at Purdue as the wide receivers coach.
Before transitioning to college football, Patterson had a successful high school coaching career in the St. Louis area, where he led Trinity Catholic to a state championship. His connections in St. Louis are expected to be beneficial for recruiting at Kansas State.
Official Statements and Responses
In a press release, Cory Patterson expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “I am excited about the opportunity to do something special here at K-State. There has been a tradition of great running back play here, so we have to keep the party going!” Collin Klein echoed this sentiment, highlighting Patterson's history of talent development and his infectious passion for coaching.
Coaching Staff Overview
With Patterson's addition, Kansas State's coaching staff continues to take shape under Klein. The current staff includes defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson, co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson, and special teams coordinator Stanton Weber, among others. The Wildcats are actively finalizing additional coaching positions, including offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
Criticism and Opposition
While the hiring of Patterson has been generally well-received, some critics point to the disappointing season at Oklahoma State, where the team finished with a 2-10 record. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Patterson's coaching during that period, although his previous successes at other institutions are noted as a counterpoint.
What's Next
As the Kansas State Wildcats prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on integrating Patterson into the coaching staff and leveraging his expertise to enhance the running game. The Wildcats aim to build on their tradition of strong running back performance, with Patterson at the helm of this critical position.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am excited about the opportunity to do something special here at K-State,” — Cory Patterson, Running Backs Coach
- “Coach Patterson has a great history of developing talent,” — Collin Klein, Head Coach
