JONESBORO, Ark. — Pittsburgh interim football coach Keith Patterson has been named defensive coordinator at Arkansas State.

Head Coach Gus Malzahn announced Patterson’s hiring on Wednesday.

Patterson was in his first season as Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach before taking over as interim head coach on Dec. 14. He will lead the Panthers against Southern Methodist in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Saturday.

Pittsburgh allowed just 354.8 yards per game to rank 40th nationally last year under Patterson’s direction. The defense placed five players on the All-Big East team.

Before his time at Pittsburgh, Patterson coached linebackers and served as defensive coordinator at Tulsa. During that eight-year stretch, the Golden Hurricane went to six bowl games.

Patterson will assume his duties at Arkansas State once his responsibilities at Pittsburgh are fulfilled.