Keith Patterson to Rejoin Todd Graham at Arizona State

Oct 5, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers defensive coordinator Keith Patterson calls the plays against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears defeated the Mountaineers 73-42. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Keith Patterson is rejoining his old buddy Todd Graham, serving as co-defensive coordinator at Arizona State, according to ESPN.

The two have a long history together, with Patterson first working as an assistant to Graham, who was head coach of Allen High School in Texas in 1995. Patterson then moved to Tulsa in 2003, when Graham was defensive coordinator. Patterson stayed put, taking over as (co-)defensive coordinator when Graham took over as head coach at Rice, but they were rejoined when Graham returned to Tulsa, this time as head coach. Patterson followed Graham to Pittsburgh, and was the interim coach when Graham left for Arizona State.

When the new coaching staff arrived at Pitt, Patterson left to take over as defensive coordinator at Arkansas State, but left after 6 weeks when he was offered the same position at West Virginia. The porous Mountaineer defense took some positive steps under Patterson, and the hope is he can do the same with a Sun Devil defense that had its own concerns, even in a good year for the program.

Patterson will work alongside fellow defensive coordinator Chris Ball, and will also coach the defensive aspect of special teams.