Hall of Fame
A 1965 graduate of Okmulgee High School, Dale Patterson played two years as an offensive lineman for Coach S.A. Robertson’s Golden Norsemen. He returned to NEO in 1981 as defensive coordinator and social science instructor under Head Coach Glen Wolfe. Patterson is in his seventh year as assistant director of football operations at Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining Coach Gundy’s staff, Patterson revived the Golden Norsemen football program during his eight-year tenure as head coach. Hired in 1996, he was the first former Norsemen player to become head football coach. During their eight-year membership in the conference under Patterson, he guided the Golden Norse to a 41-17 record and league titles in 1998, 2002, and 2003. He was named the SWJCFC “Coach of the Year” three times. Under Patterson’s guidance, the Golden Norse compiled a 60-25 overall record and a 3-1 mark in post-season bowl games. He finished his NEO career as the third winningest coach in NEO football history behind only the legendary S.A. “Red” Robertson and Glen Wolfe. In 2004, he received the Merv Johnson Integrity In College Coaching Award and was inducted into the NJCAA Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
