LSU assistant head coach David Patrick leaving for TCU

By CODY WORSHAM
Tiger Rag Editor

LSU assistant head coach David Patrick is leaving for an assistant coaching job at TCU, a source confirmed to Tiger Rag Friday afternoon.

ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reported first on Twitter, saying that Patrick is leaving to become Jamie Dixon’s top assistant.

Patrick, who has been at LSU since Johnny Jones’ arrival in 2012, has been instrumental in LSU’s recruiting and scouting efforts for the last four seasons, most notably helping sign Ben Simmons, his godson, as part of the Tigers’ third-ranked 2015 signing class. Patrick also helped LSU sign the fifth-ranked class in 2013, a group that includes two NBA players (Jarell Martin, Jordan Mickey) and a third (Tim Quarterman) who is entering the draft in 2016.

A native of Bermuda, Patrick grew up in Melbourne, Australia before attending high school in Baton Rouge at Chapel Trafton School (now The Dunham School). Patrick signed with Syracuse and was a member of the Orange’s 1996 Final Four team, later transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette for his final three seasons of eligibility.

After a professional career in Australia, Patrick returned stateside for a season at Nicholls State, where he helped establish a pipeline of Aussie talent to Thibodaux, including All-Southland performers Stefan Blaszczynski, Ryan Bathie, and Anatoly Bose. He then moved to St. Mary’s as Director of Basketball Operations for a season before joining the staff as an assistant for three seasons. Again, in addition to helping recruit domestic talents, he opened St. Mary’s doors to the likes of Aussie internationals Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.

Patrick moved on to the NBA as a scout for the Houston Rockets before taking the LSU job in 2012.