Partridge enters his second season with the Colts as the team's defensive line coach. He came to Indianapolis with 26 years of collegiate coaching experience.
In 2024, Partridge worked with an Indianapolis defense that ranked tied for seventh in the NFL in takeaways (25) and tied for first in the league in red zone takeaways (six). The Colts also ranked 10th in the NFL in tackles for loss (88) and tied for third in forced fumbles (17). He tutored rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu, who ranked tied for first in forced fumbles (three) and in strip sacks (2.0) and fifth in sacks (4.0) among rookies. Partridge worked with defensive tackle Grover Stewart and helped him rank second in tackles (74) and seventh in solo tackles (29) among defensive tackles. He also guided DeForest Buckner, who reached at least 6.5 sacks for the seventh consecutive season. Buckner is one of two NFL players to accomplish that feat during the last seven years joining Myles Garrett.
Prior to Indianapolis, Partridge was the assistant head coach/defensive line coach at the University of Pittsburgh for five seasons (2018-23) after adding assistant head coach to his title following the 2017 season. From 2019-22, his unit ranked in the top-five nationally in sacks.
During his time in Pittsburgh, he was twice recognized by FootballScoop as the National Defensive Line Coach of the Year (2020, 2022). Partridge earned the recognition in 2022 after mentoring Calijah Kancey to unanimous All-America accolades and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Kancey led the nation's interior defenders with 14.5 tackles for loss and was the only player to be selected as a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Partridge first received the honor in 2020 when he oversaw the development of defensive end duo Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver to consensus All-America honors.
Before returning to Pittsburgh, he served as the head coach at Florida Atlantic University from 2014-16. Partridge signed three of FAU's best recruiting classes in program history, including his 2015 class, which was heralded as the best in Conference USA that year. Ten Owls who Partridge coached at FAU went on to the NFL.
Partridge spent the 2013 season at the University of Arkansas where he was the assistant head coach and oversaw the defensive line. His lone season with the Razorbacks saw defensive ends Trey Flowers and Chris Smith earn Second Team All-SEC honors by the league's coaches. Partridge also contributed to Arkansas' special teams effort and worked with punter Sam Irwin-Hill, who saw action in all 12 games and led the SEC in punts downed inside the 20-yard line (20).
He held a variety of roles at the University of Wisconsin from 2008-2012, including associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator and defensive line (2011-12) and defensive line and specialists coach (2008-2010). In 2012, Partridge helped Wisconsin lead the Big Ten and rank third nationally in opponent three-and-out percentage (41.72 percent). The Badgers also ranked in the top 15 nationally in scoring and total defense during the 2011 season.
Partridge coached defensive end J.J. Watt, who was a 2010 All-America selection and the winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy after he tallied 62 tackles (42 solo), 21.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, nine passes defensed, one interception, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks. His 21.0 tackles for loss ranked third in the nation. Watt was selected in the first round (11th overall) by the Houston Texans in the 2011 NFL Draft.
In his first stint at Pittsburgh (2003-07), Partridge served multiple roles, including special teams coordinator/linebackers coach (2007), special teams coordinator/defensive line coach (2006), defensive ends/special teams coach (2005) and defensive ends coach (2003-04). In 2007, the defense led the Big East and ranked fifth nationally in total defense allowed per game (297.7 yards per game).
He spent the 2002 season at Eastern Illinois University coaching the defensive line and also served as the recruiting coordinator. Partridge helped the Panthers reach the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs after they shared the Ohio Valley Conference title. Partridge was the director of football operations at Iowa State University for two seasons (2000-01) after working as a graduate assistant (1998-99) for the Cyclones.
His coaching career began at his alma mater, Drake University, as a graduate assistant during the 1996 and 1997 seasons where he coached running backs and helped develop two 1,000-yard rushers. Partridge was an NSCA All-America defensive lineman for the Bulldogs. He earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Drake and a master's degree in education from Iowa State.
Partridge is married to his wife, Julie, and they have two daughters, Alexa and Kylee.
1996-1997 | Drake | Graduate Assistant
1998-1999 | Iowa State | Graduate Assistant
2002 | Eastern Illinois | Defensive Line and Recruiting Coordinator
2003-2004 | Pittsburgh | Defensive Ends
2005 | Pittsburgh | Defensive Ends/Special Teams
2006 | Pittsburgh | Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line
2007 | Pittsburgh | Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
2008-2010 | Wisconsin | Defensive Line and Specialists
2011-2012 | Wisconsin | Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2013 | Arkansas | Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
2014-2016 | Florida Atlantic | Head Coach
2017 | Pittsburgh | Defensive Line
2018-2023 | Pittsburgh | Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
2024-2025 | Indianapolis Colts | Defensive Line
