DURHAM – Duke head football coach Manny Diaz announced Wednesday that Jonathan Patke will join the Blue Devil gridiron program as the defensive coordinator. Patke also will coach Duke’s linebackers.
Patke worked for Diaz on three previous defensive staffs, most recently at Miami from 2016-21, where Patke served as a quality control analyst for two seasons (2016-17) before being elevated to the linebackers coach his final four years (2018-21). The pair also spent time together at Mississippi State and Louisianna Tech.
Patke comes to Durham after a one-year stint as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Texas State University, where he helped guide the Bobcats to the program’s first eight-win season and FBS bowl appearance. Patke’s defense forced a season-high seven turnovers, including two interceptions for touchdowns by linebacker Brian Holloway, en route to the Bobcats’ 45-21 rout of Rice at the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, marking their first bowl win in program history.
During his brief time in San Marcos, Texas, the Bobcats ranked second nationally in tackles for loss (8.3 per game) and ninth in sacks (3.08 per game). Additionally, Patke mentored Holloway to All-Sun Belt Second Team honors after the Clear Lake, Texas, native led the team in tackles (104), tackles for loss (16.0), quarterback pressures (8), and interceptions (4), while ranking second in fumble recoveries (2) and caused fumbles (3). His tackles for loss mark, set Texas State’s FBS program record.
Patke spent the 2022 season as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at the University of Incarnate Word, where he helped the Cardinals earn a final national ranking of No. 4 and a Southland Conference championship. UIW advanced to the FCS semifinals before falling in a nailbiter to the reigning national champions North Dakota State University, 35-32.
Patke’s defense ranked in the top-10 nationally in five categories – first in tackles for loss (9.2 per game), third in defensive touchdowns (4) and passing efficiency defense (105.27), ninth in sacks (3.07 per game), and 10th in turnovers gained (24). Additionally, the Cardinals finished first in the Southland Conference in total defense (365.6) and scoring defense (24.7 ppg).
Patke tutored linebacker Kelechi Anyalebechi, who collected…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Duke University…