University of Illinois women’s basketball head coach Nancy Fahey announced Thursday the promotion of John Patterson to associate head coach.
“I’m so excited to see John take this next step in his coaching career,” Fahey said. “John is as loyal, hard-working, and knowledgeable as any coach I’ve worked with in my 35-year career. John excels at analytics, elevating our players’ games to another level. He is an outstanding person of the highest character and I know his role as associate head coach will allow him to have an even greater impact on our program going forward.”
Patterson enters his third season as an on-court coach and his fifth overall with the Fighting Illini in 2021-22. He first came to Illinois as part of Fahey’s initial staff in 2017-18 and spent two seasons as the team’s director of player personnel after previously serving three years (2013-16) as Fahey’s primary assistant at Washington University.
“I want to thank Coach Fahey for the opportunity to continue to grow as a coach with Fighting Illini women’s basketball,” Patterson said. “This state, program, and community are home for my family, and the opportunity to take on an expanded role with this team, while continuing to learn from a hall-of-fame mentor in Coach Fahey, is one that I don’t take for granted.”
Patterson will continue his work on the court developing the Illini’s guards, which has helped produce a record-setting stable of backcourt players during his tenure with the Orange and Blue. In his new role as associate head coach, he will also continue to handle game scheduling, and will take an increased role in the day-day operations of the program.
Patterson’s track record dates back to his time working with both the men’s and women’s basketball programs at WashU. During his time with the Bears, Patterson helped coach the women’s team to a 72-12 record and three University Athletic Association Championships. WashU advanced to the NCAA Tournament in all three of his seasons, highlighted by back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 2015 and 2016. The WashU coaching staff also earned UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors during two of Patterson’s seasons (2014, 2015).
Before joining Fahey’s staff, Patterson served as a part-time assistant coach for the WashU men’s basketball program from 2010-13. During Patterson’s three seasons on Mark Edwards’ staff, the Bears posted a 54-26 (.675) record, won two UAA championships and advanced to a pair of NCAA Tournaments.
Prior to joining the collegiate ranks, Patterson coached three seasons at Pattonville (Mo.) High School, in addition to three seasons of coaching in the club basketball ranks.
Patterson received his associate of arts degree from John A. Logan College in 2004, and his bachelor’s degree in education from Fontbonne University in 2007. He graduated from Carterville (Ill.) High School, and was an all-state honorable mention basketball selection in 2001 and 2002 before going on to play two seasons at John A. Logan and one at Fontbonne.
Patterson and his wife, Erin, have two children, Reese and Jack.
