Report: Florida hiring Jeremy Patterson from Rutgers as assistant defensive line coach, GA

FaceProfileby:Thomas Goldkamp•03/02/24

Florida coach Billy Napier is adding to his team’s support staff after losing a key assistant in recent weeks. According to a report from Bruce Feldman, the Gators are set to hire Rutgers player development assistant Jeremy Patterson.

Patterson will reportedly work as an assistant defensive line coach and graduate assistant.

That makes his hire pretty close to a like-for-like replacement for departed staffer Kali James. James left last week to take a defensive line coaching position with Jackson State. James had spent two seasons with the Gators.

Patterson will bring some considerable personal knowledge to his coaching job, having played defensive line in college before getting into coaching.

He spent three years at Wisconsin (2014-16), before transferring to Tennessee State (2017-18) to finish out his career. Patterson recorded 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss during his two years with the Tigers.

Prior to Patterson’s arrival, James filled a key role for the team. He was considered an up-and-comer in the profession, as evidenced by his quick move to a full-time, on-the-field role at Jackson State.

After graduating from Tuskegee University in 2019, James was immediately hired as a defensive intern at South Carolina. He moved on to coach the defensive line coach for Land Christian Academy.

As a player, James was a four-year player and a two-time captain for Tuskegee where he totaled 62 career tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown during his career.

During James’ time in Gainesville, the Gators combined to go 11-14. He now joins a Jackson State squad that finished 7-4 during the initial season following Deion Sanders’ departure.

In addition to the Patterson hire, Napier is also expected to make another hire in the near future. The team still has one on-field position open after offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton left for a job with the Washington Commanders.

The Gators are expected to hire another offensive line coach to pair with Rob Sale on the unit.