Lillian Patterson joins the University of New Orleans Track & Field program for her first season. Patterson was hired in September 2015. 
 
Prior to the University of New Orleans, Patterson began her collegiate coaching career at Smith College where she served as a gradaute assistant for Cross Country and Track and Field.
 
In May of 2015 she completed her Masters of Science in Exercise Science and Sport Studies at Smith College. The program is devoted exclusively to the practice of intercollegiate coaching. Smith is one of only two schools in the nation to receive the highest level of certification from the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE). Patterson also served as an instructor within the Exercise Science Department at Smith.
 
She received her Bachelors degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she competed as a Division I athlete. During her successful career at UNC-Wilmington she was a four-year Academic All American and a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) All-Conference honoree in the steeplechase.
 
In the distance events Patterson has coached individuals that have qualified for NCAA Cross Country National Championships, ECAC Championships and Open New England Championships.
 
Patterson has also worked for Corolla Ocean Rescue in the Outerbanks of North Carolina and Ironman World Triathlon Corporation. She is a USATF Certified Level 1 Coach and an active member of both USATF and USA Triathlon.