Up close: Kevin Patrick

Posted Nov 12, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Nov 12, 2012 at 10:45 PM

A continuing series that spotlights the personalities of USF assistant football coaches. Today, it’s defensive tackles coach Kevin Patrick.

Hometown: West Palm Beach.

Favorite food: Steak and lobster. “Give me a little surf and turf.’‘

Favorite TV show: “I’m a big Food Network guy. I like the barbecue shows, the drive-in diners. Sometimes when I’m recruiting on the road, I might find one of those places. When I was recruiting Tevin Mims in Texas, I found a great little place. When there’s down time, you might as well take advantage of it.’‘

Favorite movie: “The Outlaw Josey Wales. One of my all-time favorites.’‘

First job: “Other than mowing lawns, it was working at a produce company in West Palm Beach. I worked in the packing house, especially during the holidays.’‘

First car: “Ford Bronco. It was a stick shift, a good car. I got it in college.’‘

Wildest thing I ever did in college: “Hey, I was a pretty good guy. I didn’t do a whole lot of wild, stupid stuff. I’ll tell you this. On spring break, when everybody else went to Daytona, the Keys, the Panhandle, Fort Lauderdale, I went to Youngstown, Ohio. No joke. I spent a week in the snow with my roommate in college. Why would I do that? Hey, I grew up with the sun and the beach. When the Northern kids came down here, I went to Youngstown. That was my different experience. We drove all the way there and back.’‘

Something people don’t know about me: “I used to own a boat and I’m a pretty good wakeboarder. I can jump from one side to the other. I tried flipping, but I always end up in the water. I loved it.’‘

Somebody in history I’d like to meet: “I’ve met so many people. I’ve been really lucky. I met Michael Jordan. Had dinner with Charles Barkley. I got to meet Shaq and Dan Marino. Those are all great people. I would’ve loved to have met Vince Lombardi. The trophy is named for him. I’ve seen shows about him. What a great coach who influenced so many people’s lives.’‘

Favorite quote: “I’ll go with, ‘There’s no substitute for grit.’ I use that one almost daily.’‘