Courtesy of Bryan Bjork, Sacramento State Athletics
SACRAMENTO -- David Patrick, a veteran collegiate and international coach with 17 years of coaching experience, has been named the 15th head coach of Sacramento State men’s basketball, Director of Athletics Mark Orr announced on Tuesday.
“We are thrilled to welcome David to Sacramento State to lead our men’s basketball program,” Orr said. “David’s vision for our program and his values as a leader of student-athletes align perfectly with our University. He has a wide range of experience, and a proven track record of recruiting and developing student-athletes to meet their goals. I look forward building a championship basketball program under his leadership. The future is very bright for Hornet basketball.”
Patrick, 46, a renowned recruiter with worldwide connections, has been a part of winning teams at every stop of his coaching career. He has recruited 11 players that have played in the NBA (including seven draft picks - four first rounders) and has coached 28 players that have gone on to play professionally, including 19 in the NBA.
A native of Bermuda who moved to Australia at the age of 10, Patrick did not come to the United States until his senior year of high school. After playing professionally overseas, he entered the coaching ranks where he began putting together impressive recruiting classes while coaching with some of college basketball’s brightest minds, including Porter Moser, Eric Musselman, Randy Bennett and Jamie Dixon. He also played collegiately for Jim Boeheim.
“I’m ecstatic to be named the new head men’s basketball coach at Sacramento State,” Patrick said. “After my first conversation with Mark Orr, I could feel his passion and energy for the potential he envisions for Sacramento State basketball, and his love for the city. I could see the alignment and vision President Nelsen has for Sacramento State athletics, and the positive direction the University is headed.
“This program has all the characteristics to compete for Big Sky Conference championships. I’ve been around winning at every stop of my coaching journey, and that is the DNA I will instill in this program. My number one goal will be to ensure our young men leave Sacramento State with a degree in hand, and they learn to be leaders in their homes and in the community.”
COACHING EXPERIENCE/WINNING
• At every stop of Patrick’s coaching career, his teams have won.
• 2021-22 : Oklahoma associate head coach - NIT Second Round. Was the team’s defensive coordinator and the Sooners finished among the top 50 teams in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 65.0 points per game.
• 2020-21: Arkansas associate head coach - NCAA Tournament Elite 8. Finished 25-7 and Arkansas made its deepest run in the NCAA Tournament since 1996. As defensive coordinator, the Razorback defense went from 12th in the SEC the year before his arrival to fifth under his guidance.
• 2018-20: UC Riverside head coach - In his second season, he led the Highlanders to the most wins (17) in the program’s Div. I era, and received invitations to play in the CIT and CBI before the pandemic put a halt to those tournaments. The Highlanders went 9-22 the year before his arrival. He was a finalist for the Hugh Durham Coach of the Year award, given annually to the top mid-major men’s basketball head coach. The 2019-20 team finished eighth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 60.6 points per game.
• 2019-pres: Australian National Team assistant coach - Helped coach the team to a bronze medal at the 2021 Olympics, Australia’s first men’s basketball Olympic medal. The 2019 team reached the FIBA World Cup Final Four, which included the country’s first-ever win over the United States.
• 2016-18: TCU assistant head coach - In his first season, TCU won the 2017 NIT championship, and improved its win total (24) by 12 games from the previous season. It was the program’s first postseason championship. The Horned Frogs won 20+ games both seasons, including the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance (2018) in 20 years and a No. 6 seed.
• 2012-16: LSU assistant head coach - LSU increased its win total each of his first three years on staff, culminating in a 2015 NCAA Tournament appearance, the program’s first since 2009. The Tigers also qualified for the 2014 NIT.
• 2010-12: Houston Rockets player personnel scout - Scouted for NBA and NCAA prospects. Participated on the Rockets trade and draft committees.
• 2006-10: Saint Mary’s associate head coach - Saint Mary’s improved each season during his four years, culminating in a 2010 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance, West Coast Conference Tournament championship and then school-record 28 wins. The program also reached the 2008 NCAA Tournament, and 2009 NIT quarterfinals.
• 2005-06: Nicholls State assistant coach - In his lone season, the program went 19-10, a nine-win improvement from the previous season before Patrick arrived.
RECRUITING
• Patrick has been an elite recruiter throughout his career, not only tapping into United States talent, but he has also recruited heavily in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Germany.
• Has recruited seven players that were eventual NBA draft picks, including first rounders Ben Simmons (#1 overall pick), Moses Moody (#14 overall pick), Jarell Martin (#25 overall pick) and Desmond Bane (#30 overall pick). Simmons is also the godson of Patrick. Also recruited second rounders Patty Mills, Jordan Mickey and Johnny O’Bryant.
• Has recruited 19 players that went on to play professionally, including 11 that reached the NBA.
• Has coached 19 NBA players, including eight that play for the Australian national team.
• UC Riverside’s 2019-20 recruiting class was named best in the Big West Conference.
• As recruiting coordinator at TCU, he put together the top recruiting class in program history.
• As recruiting coordinator at LSU, he brought in a pair of top five national recruiting classes. That included No. 3 in 2015, and No. 5 in 2013. Recruited and signed National Freshman of the Year and eventual No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons.
• As recruiting coordinator at Saint Mary’s, he recruited Australians (and eventual NBA players) Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova. Five of his recruits were named first team all-WCC.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
• A point guard, Patrick played professionally four years overseas, including stops in Spain, England and Australia.
• Named the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2000 while playing for the Canberra Cannons.
• Played in 28 games his freshman season at Syracuse for head coach Jim Boeheim, helping the 1995-96 team reach the NCAA Tournament national championship game.
• Transferred to Louisiana (then named Southwestern Louisiana) where he finished his collegiate career (1997-00) and earned his degree in 2000 in General Studies.
• Came to the United States for his senior year of high school after representing the Australian Junior National Team.
• Named the 1995 Louisiana Player of the Year as he led Baton Rouge’s The Chapel Trafton School (now The Dunham School) to the state quarterfinals.
• Also chosen to participate in the Louisiana State High School All-Star Game.
PERSONAL
• Patrick and his wife, Cassie, have two daughters - Bailee (16) and Madison (11) who were born in Northern California.
• Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
• Alma mater: Louisiana (2000, General Studies)
• High School: The Chapel Trafton School (Baton Rouge, La.)
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Ben Simmons, Guard, Brooklyn Nets
“I am so excited for Coach Patrick to take on the role as head coach at Sacramento State. He is one of the most underrated coaches and recruiters in the country. When I went through the recruiting process, there was never a doubt that I wanted to be coached by him. He is more than a coach, he is family. He cares deeply about his players, not only as it relates to basketball, but also life.
“Sac State is getting more than a brilliant coach, they are getting a guy who will create a culture of success, support and accountability. I’m excited for the current players to be able to experience a coach who will not only make them better basketball players, but also better men.
“I’m looking forward to watching Sacramento State’s success over the coming years.”
Moses Moody, Guard, Golden State Warriors
“Anyone who knows David Patrick is aware there is no one more prepared for this opportunity. I’m beyond proud of Coach for his dedication to the game, and to every player he’s coached along the way. During my time at Arkansas, he continued to believe and invest in me and my teammates every day. The players at Sacramento State are blessed to have him as a coach, and the value he will bring to the Hornets is beyond measure.”
Jeff Borzello, ESPN College Basketball Insider
“David Patrick has proven himself across several levels of basketball - both in the United States and overseas - as a head coach and assistant coach. He’s been a part of winning staffs at multiple schools and sparked a turnaround at UC Riverside as a head coach. He understands the landscape, and is very well connected throughout the sport.”
Desmond Bane, Forward/Guard, Memphis Grizzlies
“Words cannot describe how happy and excited I am that David has received the Sacramento State job. His love and passion for people and the game of basketball has taken him all over the globe. He has shined everywhere he’s been, and I’m sure Sacramento State will be no different.”