University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Men's Basketball

Favorite Verse: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 Sam Patterson joined the Cru as head coach for the men's basketball program in April 2025. He led the Cru to the 2026 American Southwest Conference title in his inaugural season at the helm as UMHB advanced to the NCAA Second Round. Patterson joined the Cru after eight years as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts University, where he helped the team to an NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2021 with wins over No. 2 Ohio State and No. 7 Florida. Patterson also helped the Golden Eagles to an undefeated season in conference play in 2023.   Prior to Oral Roberts, Patterson worked as video coordinator and assistant director of operations for Baylor Men's Basketball from 2010-2017. He oversaw several areas within the men's basketball program, including video breakdowns, recruiting edits, scouting reports, non-conference scheduling, summer camps, etc. Patterson was also a graduate assistant at Baylor after serving as a student manager for four years, starting with the program in 2004.   Patterson has also been a camp coach at more than 20 summer basketball camps nationwide, including Notre Dame, Florida, Ohio State, Butler and Five Star Basketball. His basketball coaching career has included two Elite Eights (2010, 2012), five Sweet Sixteens (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021), 20 NCAA Tournament games, one NIT Championship (2013), two conference titles (2021, 2023) and one outright regular-season championship (2023). During his time at ORU, Patterson was instrumental in helping oversee the offensive side of the game. Following the 2022-23 season, ORU achieved incredible success in a number of offensive categories.  ORU ranked 3rd in the country in scoring (83.3). ORU was 2nd in the country in 3pt shooting, finishing with 10.7 made 3ptrs per game. ORU was 6th in the country in Assist/Turnover Ratio and ranked 1st in the country in Turnover Percentage, only turning the ball over 13.2% of the time. During his tenure at Oral Roberts, the Golden Eagles had four All-Americans (Max Abmas – 2021, 2022, 2023, Kevin Obanor – 2021), two Conference Players of the Year (Max Abmas – 2021, 2023), one Defensive Player of the Year (Connor Vanover – 2023), and multiple first and second team all-conference players (Max Abmas – 2021, 2022, 2023, Kevin Obanor – 2021, Connor Vanover – 2023, Issac McBride – 2023, 2024).    Patterson has coached a number of players that went on to play in the NBA.  He has coached 7 players who were drafted during his stint at Baylor University (Ekpe Udoh – 2010, Quincy Miller – 2012, Quincy Acy – 2012, Perry Jones – 2012, Pierre Jackson – 2013, Cory Jefferson – 2014, Taurean Prince – 2016).  Of those 7 players drafted, two were Lottery Picks (Ekpe Udoh – 2010, Taurean Prince – 2016).  He has also coached a number of undrafted players that have gone on to have successful professional careers, including Royce O’Neale, Ish Wainright, Max Abmas, Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Kevin Obanor.   Patterson is a native of San Antonio. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Science in Education (Sport Management) from Baylor University. Patterson and his wife, Tricia, have three daughters, Joy, Ellie and Emma.   Coach Patterson's Accolades ASC Championships: 2026 ASC Regular Season Championships: 2026 NCAA Appearances: 2026 All-ASC Athletes Coached: 8 ASC Superlative Winners: 2 All-Region Athletes Coached: 1 All-American Athletes Coached: 1  

Favorite Verse: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people.” – Hebrews 6:10 Uriah Hunter joined the men's basketball coaching staff in July 2023. He helped the Cru to a pair of winning records in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Hunter also guided UMHB to a 21-8 record and the 2026 American Southwest Conference title and helped the program advance to the NCAA Second round in his third season as an assistant coach. Hunter came to UMHB after three seasons as the head coach for the Fort (Hood) men’s and women’s basketball teams. Hunter helped the men’s team to a National Military Basketball Championship in 2022. While stationed at Fort Hood, Hunter also served as assistant coach for the All-Army Women’s Basketball Team, leading that team, composed of the best players in the U.S. Army, to a gold medal at the US Armed Forces Basketball Championship in 2022. Hunter began his coaching career with the USAG Area IV men’s basketball team in Daegu, South Korea. In addition to his on-court success, Hunter has guided 45 soldier-athletes to Military Volunteer Service Medals and Army Achievement medals for community service. He has coached eight U.S. Armed Forces Gold Medal winners, three professional athletes, 22 former collegiate athletes (11 from Division I universities) and was named Soldiers to Sidelines Coach of the Month (July 2022). Hunter spent 20 years serving on active duty in the United States Army as a Logistics Warrant Officer, retiring in June 2023. He served various overseas tours in Qatar, Kuwait and South Korea with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan (twice). Hunter is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and five Meritorious Service Medals. He earned an undergraduate degree in organizational management from Ashford University in 2015 and a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Arizona Global Campus in 2024. Hunter is a native of Chicago and married to Melanie.