Feb. 22, 2002

WACO, Texas - Baylor Head Football Coach Kevin Steele announced Friday the hiring of Darrell Patterson to coach the Bear linebackers. Patterson coached linebackers last season at Arkansas State and replaces former co-defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Brick Haley, who left for Georgia Tech earlier this month.

"Darrell is solid football coach, an outstanding recruiter and a wonderful person," Steele said. "He'll do a great job of coaching our linebackers and has a personality that fits in well on our staff."

Steele also announced that secondary coach Paul Jette, who in December was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, will now be the sole defensive coordinator. Jette has served as defensive coordinator at four other division I-A schools: Oklahoma State (1984), Miami, Fla. (1985), Texas (1986-88) and East Carolina (1994-97).

Prior to his one season at Arkansas State, Patterson worked at Kentucky for four years from 1997-2000. He spent two seasons apiece as an assistant at Temple (1995-96) and Akron (1992-93).

Patterson was an all-state linebacker in high school in Canonsburg, Pa., before lettering four seasons at TCU (1979-82). His 544 career tackles is still a Horned Frog school record. A sixth-round draft choice of the NFL's New York Giants in 1983, Patterson began a seven-year career in the Canadian Football League by helping Winnipeg win the 1984 Grey Cup championship. He also played on Hamilton's 1989 Grey Cup runner-up team.

Baylor conducts spring football practice beginning Mar. 11 and concluding with the Green & Gold game April 6.