Ave Maria University Men's Football

Joe Patterson has been the Head Coach of the Ave Maria football team for ten seasons. During his tenure, the Gyrenes have consistently fielded competitive teams, three times participating in the de facto conference championship game. Additionally, the team has posted new records in grade point average, retention, and Christian service hours. The ten seasons of Patterson’s tenure have been marked by growth. After a winless inaugural season in 2016, the Gyrenes earned the Sun Division Championship in 2018, a turnaround that earned Patterson Sun Division Coach-of-the-Year honors. The previous year (2017), Coach Patterson had been the leading force in installing the new artificial turf at Gyrene Field, which continues to serve as the practice and playing field for soccer, lacrosse, and football. In 2018, this investment was followed with permanent lighting for the field, transforming the student-athlete experience and heightening the fan-friendly atmosphere. The football team has played in front of capacity crowds from that point forward. In 2023, Patterson oversaw the construction of a football locker room that sits adjacent to Gyrene Field. Coach Patterson also served as the University’s Director of Athletics from May 2020 to April 2025, and was named a vice president of the University from May 2022 to April 2025. During his five years as Director of Athletics, Ave Maria added 13 varsity intercollegiate sports, going from 14 teams in spring 2020 to 27 teams in fall 2024. Athletics also took on the creation and oversight of the Marching Band beginning in 2021. From spring 2020 to fall 2024, the number of students under the umbrella of AMU athletics increased from 390 to nearly 700. Also during that time, the competitiveness of the athletics program improved as AMU had top-five finishes in the Sun Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings each year, including one third-place finish. Coach Patterson’s five years as Director of Athletics also saw great improvements in the athletic facilities. In spring 2022, AMU opened the Suppa Malec Beach Volleyball Complex (five beach volleyball courts). In January 2023, AMU opened Judi’s Gym (three outdoor covered basketball courts). Also in January 2023, the University opened the Judy Fyke Practice Golf Complex (an on-campus chipping and putting facility). Later that year, a rugby field was installed on the north end of campus to serve the newly elevated varsity rugby program. In August 2023, AMU opened the locker room facility for the outdoor sports, and then in December 2023, the fully renovated and expanded Golisano Field House opened, complete with a weightroom, training room, office suite, five locker rooms, and two full basketball courts that serve the volleyball program as well. In addition to being the head football coach and director of athletics, Coach Patterson also served one year simultaneously as the Vice President for Enrollment. Under his direction, the enrollment department executed a record-setting yield rate and an historically low discount rate. The strength of the class could be seen 12 months later as they set new University marks for retention and academic success. Prior to coming to AMU, Patterson had served the previous 12 years as the head varsity coach at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. At St. John’s, he executed a similar turnaround as he did at AMU, coaching his team to nine victories in 12 seasons against their archrival Gonzaga (St. John’s had lost to Gonzaga in 22 of their previous 25 matchups). St. John’s also advanced to the playoffs in 10 of the 12 seasons, achieving Top Twenty rankings in the Washington Post for at least a portion of 11 of the 12 seasons. During his 12 seasons, 84 of his players went on to play Division-I college football. While at St. John’s, Patterson also taught literature, journalism, and history, receiving three different teacher-of-the-year awards, including the Archdiocese of Washington Veteran Teacher of the Year. Patterson earned his master's degree in Catholic Leadership from the Catholic University of America, and his undergraduate degrees from Villanova University. He has written and spoken on several topics, most notably on the subject of virtue and vice in Athletics. Links to a sample of his writing and talks can be found below. Patterson and his wife, Jana, live in Ave Maria, Florida, with their six children. In The Media: Sin and Virtue in Athletics The Catholic Theology Show, 51-minute show hosted by Dr. Michael Dauphinais Sin and Virtue in Athletics w/ Joe Patterson - Catholic Theology Show | Podcast on Spotify   Catholic Sports Radio – Episode 291 32-minute show hosted by Bruce Wawrzyniak CSR 291 Joe Patterson - Catholic Sports Radio Athletics and the Virtues The Pursuit of Wisdom, Ave Maria University on-line course – August 2024 https://thepursuitofwisdom.org/course/athletics-and-the-virtues   Virtue & Athletics At the 39-minute mark of the Catholic Connection – EWTN Radio – August 13, 2024 https://ondemand.ewtn.com/free/Home/Play/en/~CB20240813   Athletics and Virtues The Catholic Morning Show – Iowa Catholic Radio – August 12, 2024 https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-catholic-morning-show/   On Generosity and Chastity At the 8-minute mark of the Son Rise Morning Show – Sacred Heart Radio – August 7, 2024 https://www.sacredheartradio.com/onair/son-rise-morning-show   Athletics as Virtue in Action By Joe Patterson & Soren Schwab, Anchored Podcast, March 2024 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6AMvOje17o4SXANCyIWsai?si=IVtY5Wm1Ttm07MW4Ru4Stw Coaching as a Calling By Joe Patterson, Seton Magazine, May 2022 https://www.setonmagazine.com/mom/coaching-as-a-calling Authentically Catholic Athletic Programs:  Competing Without Compromise By Joe Patterson, Ascension Press, March 2021 https://media.ascensionpress.com/2021/03/03/authentically-catholic-athletic-programs-competing-without-compromise/   Coach Patterson’s interview with Ron Meyer, Blessed 2 Play EWTN Catholic Radio, broadcast February 2021 https://soundcloud.com/ewtn-radio/blessed-2-play-021421-joe-patterson#   What I Learned from Ave Maria University Football By John Clark, National Catholic Register, October 2020 https://www.ncregister.com/blog/what-i-learned-from-ave-maria-university-football   Ave Maria sports teams return as only Southwest Florida program playing amid COVID-19 By Andrew Sodergren, Naples Daily News, September 2020 https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/college/ave-maria/2020/09/09/ave-maria-athletics-tout-safety-protocols-return-njcaa-competition-amid-coronavirus/5688322002/  

Keith Gilmore is entering his seventh season as the Gyrene defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. Throughout his tenure at Ave Maria, Gilmore has conducted defenses that have consistently kept the Gyrenes in games against some of the best competition in the nation. In each of his seasons, the Gyrenes have placed several defensive players on All-Conference teams.  Prior to his current stint, Gilmore coached at the NCAA Division I level for more than 30 years, and brings tremendous experience and energy to the field. Before coming to Ave Maria, Gilmore coached the defensive line at Colorado State. Prior to that, he coached the defensive line at Notre Dame, where he coached All-American Sheldon Day. Before his time with the Fighting Irish, Gilmore coached the defensive line at North Carolina and Illinois. At Illinois, he coached two first-round draft picks in Corey Liuget and Whitney Mercilus. Before Illinois, Gilmore served as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach at Cincinnati, which followed stops at Central Michigan, Howard, Norfolk State, Eastern Michigan, and Michigan State, among others. Over the years, Gilmore has served as a Defensive Coordinator, a Special Teams Coordinator, and a Recruiting Coordinator. He has coached the defensive line, linebackers, and running backs. As a player, Gilmore was a two-time all-conference linebacker for Wayne State University.

Tommy Patterson is in his fourth season on the Ave Maria football staff. His first three seasons were spent on the defensive side, assisting with the defensive backs and linebackers. He has also served as a Special Teams assistant. For 2026, he serves as an offensive assistant. As a student-athlete, he competes as a member of the AMU Track & Field Team. He will graduate with a Business Administration degree.

Résumé/CV 2024 Ave Maria University (NAIA)- RB Coach  2023 Ave Maria University (NAIA)- DB Coach 2022 Ave Maria University (NAIA)- DB Coach 2021 Ave Maria University (NAIA)- RB Coach 2020 Ave Maria University (NAIA)- RB Coach 2019 Ave Maria University (NAIA)- RB Coach 2019 Amiens Sparsiates- HC 2018 Ave Maria University (NAIA) - Assistant OL Coach/ TE's Coach. Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach (July-December) 6-4, Co-Champions of the Sun Division Conference 2018 2018 Cagliari Crusaders-Head Coach 2nd Division Italy Jan-June 2017 Ave Maria University(NAIA) TE's Coach/ Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach(August-November) Ave Maria, Florida 2017 Warsaw Eagles (Top League-Div.1) Warsaw, Poland August-December Defensive Coordinator 2016 DB Coach/DC Jireh Prep Academy August until December, We play against college football teams. 2016 Head Coach -Grossetto Veterans, Italy / Offensive Coordinator January - June Division 2 2015 August - December. Defensive Coordinator / DB COACH, Jireh Prep Postgraduate, Charlotte, NC 2015 Tonnerre de Brest D3 Brest, France Head Coach 2014 Jireh Prep Postgraduate Academy, Co-Offensive Coordinator. WR coach,Special Teams Coordinator, Charlotte, North Carolina. August - December. 2014 La Queue-En Brie,France Gladiateurs D2 DC for the Senior Team/ Head Coach for the Junior team.OC/DC Reached the North Division finals for both Juniors, and Seniors. 2013 Jireh Prep Post Graduate . School-RB coach/Special Teams. Aug.-Dec.Strength and Conditioning Coach 2013 Grenoble Centaures, France - Head Coach/Offensive Cooridinator Jan.-Jun. France first division 2012 Jireh Prep (Post Graduate) School- Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Back Coach/ Strength and Conditioning Coach 2011-2012 Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Les Aigles, Chambery, France, 7-4 regular season. 1st year in play-offs. Last year team went 0-10, before I got here. 2010 Internship-The University of South Florida(BULLS) NCAA Division 1, Strength and Conditioning Department. JANUARY-MAY European Playing: 2006 Weyhe Vickings, Germany (Player/Coach) 2007 Roskilde Kings, Denmark (Player/Coach) Offensive Coaching Knowledge: - OFFENSE(WEST COAST,SPREAD OFFENSE, RUN-N-SHOOT, WING-T, WISHBONE, PRO-SET, I FORMATION) Defensive Coaching Knowledge: - DEFENSE(3-4,4-3,4-6,3-3-5, NICKEL BLITZ PACKAGES, 4-2-5, AND 5-2 BLITZ PACKAGES),very experienced at special teams. Coaching High School/Youth GIBBS JR. GLADIATORS 2002 OC ST.PETE JR. DEVILS 2003 RB/DB COACH, ASST. OC LAKEWOOD H.S. 2004 DB COACH OSCEOLA H.S. 2008 DB COACH SPECIAL TEAMS 2009 DB/WR COACH -OSCEOLA FUNDAMENTAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE(2008 ALEX SMITH,TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS) FOOTBAL CAMP(FLORIDA),2009 BARRETT RUUD CAMP(FLORIDA),2009 MARK CLAYTON CAMP(MARYLAND) 2010 Louis Murphy Football Camp-#18 Oakland Raiders(WR),2014-2015 #83 Tampa Bay Buccaneers References Todd Stroud- University of Miami Ted Gill- Div.1 Coach (retired) Keith Gilmore- Ave Maria University Jappy Oliver- Div. 1 Coach (retired) George Contreras-European Coach Mike Faragalli- Former CFL Head Coach/ Ave Maria University Hometown- St. Petersburg, Florida email- [email protected]

Southeastern University, Graduate Assistant 2014-2015 Bryant University, WRs 2016-2017 University of New England, QBs/RC 2018 Erskine College, OC/QBs 2019-2021 Ave Maria University, OC/RC/QBs 2022-Current

John Klacik is in his ninth season as the offensive line coach for the Ave Maria football program, and in his first season as the offensive coordinator. Klacik brought more than 20 years of Division I coaching experience with him when he arrived at AMU in 2018. Klacik spent 15 seasons at Youngstown State in a variety of roles, including Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Coordinator.  During those 15 seasons, Youngstown State won four Division I-AA (now FCS) national championships. During those four national championship seasons, Coach Klacik served twice as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach, once as the Tight Ends Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, and one season as the Wide Receivers Coach and Passing Game Coordinator. Klacik’s most recent position prior to joining the AMU staff was as the Offensive Coordinator at FBS Miami University (Ohio).  Prior to his time at Miami, he served as the head coach at his alma mater, Lock Haven University, for six seasons.  Coach Klacik has also served as an FBS Quarterbacks Coach, having served in that capacity at Wake Forest. In Coach Klacik’s first season (2018) at AMU, his line paved the way for a successful ground game, one that saw freshman tailback Quino Mauricette set the school record for rushing yards. In fact, AMU’s ground game gained more yards in 2018 than the two previous seasons combined. Also, the pass protection only allowed 1.7 sacks per game in divisional play. Junior left tackle Jack Weston was recognized as a first-team all-conference player, the first such recognition for a Gyrene offensive lineman since 2015. Klacik's second season saw the Gyrenes run for more than 150 yards per game, as Ave Maria posted a .500-or-better record for the second year in a row. Two of his offensive linemen - Jack Weston and Matthew Hunt - earned All-Sun Division honors. Weston was a First Team selection, while Hunt was named to the Second Team. In his third season, the offensive line for the Gyrenes cleared the way for ten touchdowns during the seven-game season in 2020, and led an offense that scored at least 25 points in each of the team's victories.  Ave Maria ran for more than 180 yards per game during the 2022 season, led by first team All-Conference selection Jose Fernandez. It marked the fifth consecutive season, all under Klacik's leadership, where at least one interior Gyrene earned First Team All-Mid South honors. The Gyrene offensive line powered AMU to a program-record 1581 rushing yards in eleven games in 2021. Another lineman, Bennett Landry, earned Second Team All-Division honors. The success running the ball continued in 2023, as the offensive line cleared the way for running back Bryan Stiemke to shatter most AMU rushing records. Klacik's offensive line again helped Stiemke claim All-Conference honors in 2024. Klacik earned his degree in fitness management.

Ramsey is in his third season as special teams coordinator for the Gyrenes, joining the staff in January of 2024. He came to the Gyrenes with nearly a decade of coaching experience at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Ramsey's most recent stop prior to AMU was at NAIA member University of Montana Western, where he served as the defensive backs coach, recruiting coordinator, and special teams coordinator. In his four seasons at Montana Western, the Bulldogs won two Frontier Conference championships, while qualifying for the NAIA Tournament in 2021 and 2023. Before Montana Western, Ramsey spent one season at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse as a defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He arrived at UW La Crosse after three seasons at NCAA Division I Northern Illinois University, where he served as a graduate assistant, working with special teams and wide receivers. During his tenure at NIU, the Huskies won the MAC championship during the 2018 season. Ramsey began his coaching career at North Carolina Wesleyan College, an NCAA Division III member, where he was the cornerbacks coach. Ramsey earned his degree from the University of Dubuque, where he played football for the Spartans. He was a two-time all-conference selection in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, now known as the American Rivers Conference.

Jarvis McGarrah is in his tenth season on the Ave Maria football staff. He has served in a number of capacities during his decade with the Gyrenes: three seasons in the secondary, five seasons as the running backs coach, and two seasons as the tight ends coach. On campus, McGarrah is a residence director at one of the AMU residence halls. Before his hire by Ave Maria, McGarrah spent seven seasons coaching football overseas, doing so in Poland, Italy, and France. He was a head coach, an offensive coordinator, and a defensive coordinator during that time. Concurrently, he also coached at Jireh Prep in North Carolina from 2012 through 2016. At Jireh, he coached several different positions, including wide receivers, defensive backs, and running backs. He also served as a strength and conditioning coach at Jireh. Before working at Jireh, McGarrah served as an intern in the University of South Florida's strength and conditioning program. His other coaching stops along the way include Denmark and Germany, as well as Lakewood and Osceola High Schools in Florida.

Matt Millhouse is in his fourth season on the Ave Maria football staff, serving as the secondary coach. His most recent season (2025) saw an opportunistic Gyrene secondary record 15 interceptions. Millhouse brought a championship pedigree to the Gyrene football offices, joining the AMU program as its secondary coach from the University of Saint Francis in Indiana. In his eight seasons at USF, Millhouse and the Cougars went to the NAIA Semifinals on four occasions, and won the national championship in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During his time at Saint Francis, Millhouse spent seven seasons at the secondary coach and coverage coordinator, and he took on the role of co-defensive coordinator for the 2022 season. Millhouse is also an accomplished coach at the high school level, winning five state championships in seven seasons as the defensive coordinator at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a stretch that included four consecutive titles from 2009 to 2012. Millhouse's defenses included multiple players that went on to play college football, led by current New York Giant Jaylon Smith, who is currently in his eighth season in the NFL. As a player at Bishop Luers, Millhouse played in three state title games before enrolling at St. Francis, where he won four conference titles and participated in three national title games.

Tommy Streeter is in his fourth season at Ave Maria University. He serves as both the wide receivers and speed coach. Streeter played college football at the University of Miami, where he was the Hurricanes' leading receiver in 2011, grabbing 46 receptions for 811 yards and eight touchdowns. Following that 2011 season, Streeter was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Streeter spent parts of four seasons in the NFL, signing contracts with the Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Miami native was a member of Baltimore's 2013 Super Bowl team, and officially made his NFL debut with Jacksonville in 2014. After spending part of 2016 in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders, Streeter returned to Florida, where he was spent time in education and as a volunteer coach at numerous camps.

Kristian Marks is in his second season as the AMU Quarterbacks Coach, and in his first season as the program’s Director of Football Operations. A five-year player for the Gyrenes from 2018-2022, Marks is all over the record book for Ave Maria quarterbacks. He currently holds the AMU career record for completion percentage (57%) and is top four all-time in completions, passing yardage and touchdowns. In his senior year in 2022, Marks was named the Sun Conference Champion of Character. He has also won the Gyrene of the Year Award in 2021 (the high honor given out annually), and was a two-time winner of the Mr. Ave Award for the football program. Marks earned his Master's degree in theology from Ave Maria. Along with coaching quarterbacks, he is also the Associate Athletics Groundskeeper and is in charge of maintaining all of the athletic playing surfaces around campus.

Courtland Duncan is in his third season as a member of the Ave Maria University football coaching staff, joining the staff prior to the 2024 season. In 2024, he served as the Assistant Wide Receivers Coach. In 2025, he served as the program’s Tight Ends Coach. In 2026, he serves as the Running Backs Coach. Duncan first came to Ave Maria as a student-athlete, transferring into the program in 2023, following three seasons at Wilmington College, a Division III program in Ohio. Dunca earned a Communication degree from AMU as well as an MBA with a Sports Management concentration.

Will Hampton is in his sixth season on the Ave Maria football staff. During his six seasons, he has been an assistant on the offensive side of the ball, handling a multitude of responsibilities. Hampton is a graduate of Ave Maria, having earned both a History undergraduate degree and an MBA with a Sports Management concentration.

A former offensive lineman for the Gyrenes, Nate Rumrill is in his second year on the AMU coaching staff, and in his first year as the Tight Ends coach. During his first year on the staff, he served as an offensive line coach.