Entering his second year at Notre Dame, Patrick Graham brings with him six seasons worth of coaching experience at the collegiate level as well as a degree from Yale University. Graham worked with the Irish defensive coaching staff in 2007, assisting with all aspects of the defense. He worked specifically with defensive coordinator Corwin Brown and the outside linebackers, helping the development of sophomore John Ryan and freshmen Kerry Neal and Brian Smith. Ryan started eight games at outside linebacker and ranked ninth on the team with 39 tackles. Neal and Smith combined to start eight games and recorded 45 tackles with 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, one interception, two passes broken up, one forced fumble and two recovered fumbles.
A native of Waterbury, Conn., Graham came to Notre Dame after spending three seasons coaching at the University of Richmond. His last two years at Richmond, Graham was an assistant coach in charge of the tight ends and also directed the kickoff return unit on special teams. He was responsible for offensive film breakdown and game planning, specifically short-yardage and goal-line situations. Prior to being named tight ends coach, Graham was the Spiders' assistant defensive line coach in 2004 and worked primarily with the defensive ends. He also assisted with the video editing system and was responsible for defensive film breakdown.
Prior to his move to Richmond, Graham served the 2002 and 2003 seasons as a graduate assistant at Wagner College in New York while he pursued an MBA with a concentration in finance. Graham instructed the tight ends and assisted with the offensive line one season and worked with the defensive tackles and assisted on special teams the other season. While working with the defensive tackles, he helped one student-athlete become a Sports Network All-American. Graham coached the junior varsity football team to an undefeated season and served as strength and conditioning coach and academic coordinator at Wagner.
As a player at Yale, Graham played on the defensive line, contributing as a junior and senior.
Graham earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Yale in 2001 and had a concentration of studies in economics and African-American Studies. He was born Jan. 24, 1979.
