James Patton Assistant Coach Guards / Centers Fifth Season   Football Coaching Staff

Coaching Accomplishments
• In 2010, just one season removed from playing tight end, T Eric Mensik earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. The Sooners ranked No. 4 in passing, No. 13 in total and No. 17 in scoring offense nationally.
 
• Had one returning starter in 2009, Trent Williams, who earned All-America honors. Despite 10 different starters and eight different starting combinations, line ranked No. 24 nationally in sacks allowed with 1.25 per game.
 
• The 2008 line anchored an offense that produced 7,670 yards, 99 TDs, two 1,000-yard rushers and one 1,000-yard receiver. It also protected Sam Bradford, the Heisman winner, giving up only 13 sacks. Three lineman were named All-Big 12 first team including Outland finalist Duke Robinson and All-American Phil Loadholt.
 
• His 2007 line gave up just 14 sacks to rank No. 5 nationally. With an average of 1.0 sacks per game, the line broke the school record of 1.21 per game set in 2006. Five linemen received Big 12 honors. Seven of the eight players on the two-deep chart were underclassmen.
 
• His first OU line included just one senior, yet helped OU to 177.4 rushing yards/game, while surrendering a Big 12-low 1.21 sacks/game (No. 11 nationally). Three different running backs had 100-yard games.
 
• The 2005 Northwestern team went to the Sun Bowl. The offense was No. 4 nationally in total yards (500.3), No. 7 in passing (306.8), No. 16 in turnover margin (+.75), No. 26 in rushing (193.4) and No. 28 in scoring (33.9).
 
• The 2005 team featured QB Brett Basanez, who ranked No. 3 in the nation in total offense, while freshman running back Tyrell Sutton ranked No. 8 in rushing yards per game and No. 16 in points per game. WR Shaun Herbert was No. 20 in receptions per game.
 
• The 2005 team gave up 11 sacks in 512 passing attempts, despite returning only one starter.
 
• Northwestern had at least one 1,200-yard rusher and one of the nation's top 30 rushers each year from 2002-2005.
 
• In 2000, Northwestern played Nebraska at the Alamo Bowl. That Wildcats ranked No. 3 in NCAA total offense.
 
• Every Northwestern senior OL he coached made it NFL.
 
• Helped Miami (Ohio) team to 10-1 mark in 1998.
 
• Coached with Kevin Wilson at Miami and Northwestern.
 
Prominent Pupils
• Trent Williams (Oklahoma), Redskins, All-American
• Phil Loadholt (Oklahoma), Vikings, All-American
• Duke Robinson (Oklahoma), Panthers, Consensus All-American, Outland Finalist
• Jon Cooper (Oklahoma), Vikings, Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year
• Zach Strief (Northwestern), Saints, 2005 First team All-American
• Ikechuku Ndukwe (Northwestern), Chiefs
• Trai Essex (Northwestern), Steelers
• Matt Ulrich (Northwestern), Colts
• Austin King (Northwestern), Buccaneers
• Jeff Roehl (Northwestern), Giants
• Lance Clelland (Northwestern), Ravens
 
Accomplishments as a Player
• A four-year letterman at Miami (Ohio). Had 45 career catches for 504 yards and one TD, including 16 catches for 166 yards as a senior. Named a captain his senior year and earned first team All-Mid American Conference honors.