Patterson joins Arkansas State staff

Published Jan. 5, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Pittsburgh interim coach Keith Patterson has been hired as the new defensive coordinator at Arkansas State.

Red Wolves coach Gus Malzahn announced Patterson's hiring on Wednesday.

Patterson was in his first season as Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach before taking over as interim head coach on Dec. 14. He will lead the Panthers against Southern Methodist in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Saturday.

Before his time at Pittsburgh, Patterson coached linebackers and served as defensive coordinator at Tulsa. During that eight-year stretch, the Golden Hurricane went to six bowl games.