Nicholas Barker is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Washington High School for AZPreps365.com.

Coaching can have its own challenges, but having a teaching career on top of it makes it much more difficult.

Brian Patterson, head coach of the Washington Rams golf team, is also a math teacher at the school. He has been a teacher for eight years, but Patterson is not letting his busy schedule get in the way of what he loves to do, which is teaching in the classroom and on the course.

“I enjoy the idea that every day brings a new challenge,” said Patterson. “I get to build some pretty amazing relationships with my students and athletes.”

Patterson, a 29-year-old from Glendale, Arizona, graduated from Northern Arizona University eight years ago and began teaching immediately. He knew from the moment he graduated high school that he wanted to become a teacher.

“I became a teacher because I had a fantastic high school experience,” said Patterson. “I wanted to come back and provide that experience for future students to come.”

While he enjoys life in the classroom, Patterson has always had a special place in his heart for golf. He has been playing golf for 17 years, and he made the varsity team all four years at Glendale High School. Although he has been playing for nearly two decades, this is his first year coaching a team, and he is enjoying every part of it.

“Typically, golf jobs don’t come open very often,” said Patterson. “I am excited to be the golf coach and see where I can take this program.”

Senior Angel Rios is happy to have Patterson as the coach. Rios was able to speak to Patterson during school about the upcoming matches.

“As I was walking out of class, I told Patterson that I was ready to go,” Rios said.

Players already feel comfortable with Patterson in his first year on the job. This is what Patterson strives for on and off the course.

“Hopefully, [my students] look up to me for support and for knowledge,” said Patterson.

As for coaching, he said he hopes his team looks up to him “as someone who is approachable and is here to help.”

Balancing the two professions can be tough, but Patterson says that the support of his wife has helped him push through the hard days.

“It is a lot of hours. Having a good and strong family to back me is important,” said Patterson. “My wife makes it a lot easier on me, and if it wasn’t for her, I would have a hard time doing both.”

Brandon Higbee, a sophomore on the golf team, says Patterson does a great job in teaching the game.

“This was only my second year playing golf here, and Coach Patterson does a great job to ensure that I am learning the game the right way,” said Higbee.