Patrick Hill joined the Minnesota Vikings as assistant defensive line coach for his first season in the NFL in 2023, after spending the 2022 season as a defensive analyst at LSU. Hill brings over a decade of coaching experience to Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's staff.
Hill assisted the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season record and playoff appearance in 2024, the second-most wins in team history. The defensive line helped limit opponents to an average of 93.5 rushing yards per game and just five runs of 20+ yards on the season, both of which were the second-fewest marks in the NFL. The unit also played an integral role in the Vikings leading the league in interceptions (24), passes defensed (95), opponent 4th-down conversion percentage (37.1%) and interceptions per attempt (3.8%) and tie for the league lead in takeaways (33).
During his first season in the professional ranks, Hill helped the Vikings defense improve from their 31st overall ranking in 2022 to 16th in 2023, including posting top-eight rankings in both rushing yards/play (fourth) and rushing yards/game (eighth). The defensive line contributed to the Vikings allowing just two rushing attempts of 20+ yards in 2023, the fewest among all teams in the league in 2023. DL Harrison Phillips, who started all 17 games in 2023, totaled 92 tackles and 3.0 sacks - both of which were single-season career bests - six quarterback hurries and a pair of passes defensed.
In his lone season with LSU in 2022, Hill helped coach a Tiger defense that ranked among the best in the SEC. Under Hill, LSU had three defenders land on the AP All-SEC Team, including DE BJ Ojulari who earned first team All-SEC honors, and DT Mekhi Wingo was also named Third Team AP All-America. Hill and the Tigers won the 2022 Citrus Bowl.
Prior to his time at LSU, Hill served as the assistant defensive line coach at Birmingham-Southern (2021). He came to Birmingham following stints as defensive line coach with Upper Iowa (2020) and Central Oklahoma (2019). At Central Oklahoma, Hill was instrumental in helping DEs Mike Rios and Drequan Brown both earn third-team all-conference accolades.
He spent a season at Angelo State University in 2018, where he coached the National Defensive Player of the Year, Harlon Hill finalist, Consensus All-American LB Markus Jones, who spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.
Hill has also coached stints at Morehead State (2016-17), Ferrum College (2015-16), James Madison (2015), West Virginia State (2014-15) and Concordia-Ann Arbor (2013-14) in his career.
Hill got his coaching start at Concordia-Chicago in 2008, where he coached until 2012, helping them win the NATHC Championship in 2011. He also helped Adrian College to the 2012 MIAAC Championship.
The Shreveport, La., native earned an undergraduate degree in sports management and sociology (2010) and a graduate (2011) degree in sports leadership from Concordia-Chicago.
