Kappa Alpha Psi’s Jeremy Patterson Named Director of Athletics at Rust College

Rust College has announced the appointment of Jeremy Patterson as its new Director of Athletics.

Patterson, a former multi-sport collegiate athlete, brings more than a decade of experience to the role. A Spring 2017 initiate of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Lane College, he has held coaching positions at various institutions, including Mississippi Valley State University, where he served as Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, and Linebacker Coach. Under his leadership, the special teams unit led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in kickoff return yards and ranked among the top programs nationally in multiple categories.

In 2023, Patterson was selected as one of 25 participants from a pool of 1,500 applicants for the inaugural Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy. Following the program, he was among five fellows chosen to continue working with the Buccaneers’ coaching staff as the team prepared for the 2024 regular season.

Prior to that, Patterson served as Special Teams Coordinator at Lane College in 2021, where his unit led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in kickoff return yards, touchdowns, and blocked punts. Several of his players earned All-Conference and All-American honors.

Originally from Cleveland, Miss., Patterson noted the significance of returning to his home state and working within a small college setting similar to his alma mater.

“This is serious for me,” Patterson said. “Being in the seat that I’m in now, a lot of people look like me at Rust. At the end of the day, I’m here to serve these students. I do this work for the love of the students.”

Patterson holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in the same field.

Rust College President Dr. Robert Dixon welcomed Patterson to the institution.

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy Patterson join the Rust College family,” Dixon said. “His leadership, dedication to student-athletes, and record of success make him the ideal candidate to lead our athletics programs into the future.”

With this appointment, Rust College looks to continue strengthening its athletic programs under Patterson’s leadership.