Ralph Patin III will enter his fourth season on head coach Rick Reeves’ staff with the Runnin’ Bulldogs in 2017-18 and his second as associate head coach.
He spent the prior two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Patin was promoted to associate head coach in July, 2016.
Patin’s work with the team’s front court helped Gardner-Webb finish among the Big South Conference leaders in several statistical categories. Seniors Olivia Parker and Candace Brown each earned first-team All-Big South Conference honors in 2015-16 – the first for a GWU player since Dominique Hudson did so in 2010-11.
Gardner-Webb also earned its first victory over a ranked team during the 2015-16 season, taking a 66-65 win at No. 20 North Carolina. GWU held opponents to just 59.4 points per game – its best defensive effort since 2012-13 and finished with a 19-12 mark.
Prior to joining the Gardner-Webb family, Patin spent five seasons as an assistant coach at South Carolina State. During his tenure he mentored a group of standouts who earned spots on the MEAC All-Rookie team as well as first and second team All-MEAC honors. He was also instrumental in guiding the team to a conference championship in 2009 and a 20-9 record in 2012.
Patin broke into the collegiate ranks as head coach at Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) College. In his three seasons at SMC, Patin’s squad compiled an overall record of 77-45 and a 42-14 mark in region play. His teams competed in three Region X Championship games and won the 2008 title. He produced three first- team All-Region players, an NJCAA All-American and the 2008 Region X Player of the Year. In addition, Patin was named the 2009 Region X Coach of the Year.
Patin attended Jackson State University and then served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years, finishing his degree at Excelsior College in 2002. while still active with the Marines. He earned a master’s degree in education from Cambridge.
Patin is married to Nalinee Patin. The couple has a son, Jamal, and a daughter, Jasmine.
