Will Patterson

Biography

Position: Linebackers

Coach Will Patterson is in his 1st year as Head Coach of the Lawrence Central Bears. Coach Patterson served as Head Coach at Arsenal Tech HS from 2018-2020. During that time, Patterson led his program to a winning season and was named 2019 City Coach of the Year. Patterson was also named the Defensive Coordinator of the South Team for the 2020 North/ South All-Star game. Patterson coached 7 years in Lawrence Township, serving as Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Linebackers coach at Lawrence Central during his last two seasons in 2016-17. Coach Patt also was the Head Men’s Track and Field coach at Lawrence Central HS for four years. Coach Patterson joined the teaching ranks at Lawrence Central as an edition to the Special Education Department in 2016.

Graduate of Lawrence North HS 2006, he played Linebacker for Lawrence North HS under Head Coach Tom Dilley. Totaled 132 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 4 sacks en-route to earning Indianapolis Star Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. He had a trio of interceptions and scored three defensive touchdowns, returning a pair of INTs and one fumble recovery. Coach Patt earned 5A All-State First Team recognition, both senior and junior seasons. In 2005, Coach Patterson was a Mr. Football award finalist. Coach Patt finished his high school career with 338 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 5 Sacks, 8 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions, 5 defensive scores, 19-quarter backpressures, 10 pass break-ups, and 16 big hits. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 3.5 years from Indiana University in December 2009, where he played all four seasons and started as a true freshman for the IU football program. In his tenure, he served as Team Captain as a junior and senior for the IU Football program. Playing weak-side Linebacker, he earned several honors and awards including the Harold Mauro Award, Freshman All-American and All- Big Ten Conference honors. He finished his career with 267 tackles, 173 solo, in 38 career starts. After college, Patterson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2010.

Since joining Lawrence Township Athletics, Coach Patterson has enjoyed several successes as a young coach. He coached Linebackers led by Stephan Jones, letter winner, 1st team All-Conference performer and Team Captain (Wabash College). He has had the pleasure of coaching two All-Americans; Darrin Kirkland, a national top five inside Linebacker prospect, and US Army All American (Tennessee Volunteers). In just two seasons with Kirkland, he was able to earn an US Army All- American honor, All-State, All-Conference, All-County honors and several other awards in his campaign at Lawrence Central. Coach Patterson also coached a top 10 rated outside linebacker, Cameron McGrone (Michigan Wolverines). In addition to being an US Army All- American, Cameron was named All-State, All-Conference, All- County at his position as well as Mr. Football at the Linebacker position in his campaign at Lawrence Central. Coach Patterson also had the privilege of coaching and mentoring Brandon Lee (Missouri Tigers) in his senior season. He also coached All-Conference, All-County performer Isaac Miles (Findlay Oilers) with several other All Conference performers. Coach is most proud of the 30+ players that he has coached throughout the years that have gone on to compete collegiately.