Pat was born in Helena, Montana. His family lived in several Montana locations before settling in Thompson Falls where Pat earned 11 letters during his high school athletic career.
Recruited by Gonzaga University, Pat played one year of Freshman Basketball and one year of Varsity Basketball. His Junior year he was named Director of Intramurals at Gonzaga, a position he held until graduation. He began his coaching career as the Assistant
Freshman Coach in 1969, and in 1970 was elevated to Head Freshman Coach. At the same time he was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. Married in 1968, Pat and his wife Lynne lived in, and acted as caretakers of, the old Kennel (aka the Kennedy Pavilion) for two years.
Over the course of his coaching career, Pat acted as Assistant Head Coach at Gonzaga Prep for 8 years, North Central (5 years) and Mead High School for 21, working with Clark Irwin, Scott Iverson, Terry Irwin, Jim Preston and Glenn Williams.
