Favorite Verse: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21
Sam Patterson joined the Cru as head coach for the men's basketball program in April 2025.
Patterson joined the Cru after eight years as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts University, where he helped the team to an NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2021 with wins over No. 2 Ohio State and No. 7 Florida. Patterson also helped the Golden Eagles to an undefeated season in conference play in 2023.
Prior to Oral Roberts, Patterson worked as video coordinator and assistant director of operations for Baylor Men's Basketball from 2010-2017. He oversaw several areas within the men's basketball program, including video breakdowns, recruiting edits, scouting reports, non-conference scheduling, summer camps, etc. Patterson was also a graduate assistant at Baylor after serving as a student manager for four years, starting with the program in 2004.
Patterson has also been a camp coach at more than 20 summer basketball camps nationwide, including Notre Dame, Florida, Ohio State, Butler and Five Star Basketball. His basketball coaching career has included two Elite Eights (2010, 2012), five Sweet Sixteens (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021), 20 NCAA Tournament games, one NIT Championship (2013), two conference titles (2021, 2023) and one outright regular-season championship (2023).
During his time at ORU, Patterson has been instrumental helping oversee the offensive side of the game. Following the 2022-23 season, ORU achieved incredible success in a number of offensive categories. ORU ranked 3rd in the country in scoring (83.3). ORU was 2nd in the country in 3pt shooting, finishing with 10.7 made 3ptrs per game. ORU was 6th in the country in Assist/Turnover Ratio and ranked 1st in the country in Turnover Percentage, only turning the ball over 13.2% of the time.
During his tenure at Oral Roberts, the Golden Eagles had 4 All-Americans (Max Abmas – 2021, 2022, 2023, Kevin Obanor – 2021). 2 Conference Players of the Year (Max Abmas – 2021, 2023). One Defensive Player of the Year (Connor Vanover – 2023). Multiple 1st Team and 2nd Team All-Conference players (Max Abmas – 2021, 2022, 2023, Kevin Obanor – 2021, Connor Vanover – 2023, Issac McBride – 2023, 2024).
Patterson has coached a number of players that went on to play in the NBA. He has coached 7 players who were drafted during his stint at Baylor University (Ekpe Udoh – 2010, Quincy Miller – 2012, Quincy Acy – 2012, Perry Jones – 2012, Pierre Jackson – 2013, Cory Jefferson – 2014, Taurean Prince – 2016). Of those 7 players drafted, two were Lottery Picks (Ekpe Udoh – 2010, Taurean Prince – 2016). He has also coached a number of undrafted players that have gone on to have successful professional careers, including Royce O’Neale, Ish Wainright, Max Abmas, Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Kevin Obanor.
Patterson is a native of San Antonio. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Science in Education (Sport Management) from Baylor University. Patterson and his wife, Tricia, have three daughters, Joy, Ellie and Emma.
