MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University head football coach Scott Underwood announced on Tuesday two additions to the Mustang coaching staff for the upcoming 2022 season.

Doug Patterson will join the staff as co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach, while David Rocco will serve as co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

Underwood is in his first season as head coach after being named to the position on Jan. 7.

Doug Patterson has been an assistant coach for more than 30 years at various levels, including FCS, Division II, NAIA and high school. He comes to SMSU after serving as offensive line coach for two seasons (2020-21) at Western Illinois University.

“I’m delighted to have someone with as much NSIC familiarity, experience and teaching skills like Doug Patterson join our staff at SMSU,” Underwood said. “I believe our offense will blossom under his leadership and his recruiting experience will help us in developing players for the future.”

Prior to WIU, Patterson spent 13 seasons as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Cloud State University (2007-19). He helped the Huskies to three NCAA playoff appearances (2010, 2011, 2013) and coached 31 offensive linemen to All-NSIC honors.

SCSU established school records in total points scored, total touchdowns scored, pass efficiency, pass completions, yards per pass, total offensive yards, and total offensive yards per game during his tenure.

Prior to SCSU, Patterson spent seven seasons (2000-06) as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Minot State University. Patterson, who coached three NAIA first team All-Americans, helped the Beavers captured the 2002 Dakota Athletic Conference championship and advance to the NAIA playoffs. The 2002 team set three school and three conference records.

Patterson began his collegiate coaching career at SCSU in 1999 spending two seasons (1999-2000) as an offensive assistant/tight ends coach.

Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Patterson was the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Bishop Ryan High School in Minot, N.D., for seven seasons (1992-98). The team made the state tournament in each of his seven seasons on staff with a pair of Class 2A state championships.

David Rocco comes to SMSU after spending five seasons (2016-21) as an assistant coach at Western Illinois University. He spent his first season as the team’s wide receiver coach before becoming the program’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

“I’m also ecstatic to add Dave Rocco in coaching the quarterbacks and directing our pass game coordination,” Underwood said. “Dave brings a strong background of collegiate experience at the FCS level as he and Coach Patterson’s collaboration together at Western Illinois looks to provide us a cohesive presence on the offensive side.”

During his time at WIU, the Leathernecks consistently ranked among the top passing offensive units in FCS. WIU ranked 10th in passing offense in 2021, 11th during the 2021 spring season and 21st in passing offense in 2018. He coached the program’s all-time leader in passing yards along with the program’s career record holder in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Prior to WIU, Rocco spent four seasons (2012-15) as an offensive assistant coach at the University of Richmond. He primarily working with the quarterbacks at Richmond and finished his tenure as the director of player personnel.

Before Richmond, Rocco was an offensive student assistant as Liberty University for two seasons (2010-11).

SMSU is scheduled to begin spring practice in late March and will open the 2022 regular season on Sept. 3 at Minnesota Duluth. SMSU’s home opener is Sept. 10 versus Concordia-St. Paul for the annual Ag Bowl.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications