Partridge enters his first season with the Colts as the team's defensive line coach. He comes to Indianapolis with 26 years of collegiate coaching experience.
Partridge was the assistant head coach/defensive line coach at the University of Pittsburgh the past 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. 10 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 2008-12, including associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator and defensive line (2011-12) and defensive line and specialists coach (2008-10). Â 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.
He 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 them 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).
He was an NSCA All-America defensive lineman for Drake University. His coaching career began at his alma mater as a graduate assistant during the 1996 and 1997 seasons where he coached running backs and helped develop two 1,000-yard rushers.
Partridge earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Drake and a master's degree in education from Iowa State.
He 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              Indianapolis Colts      Defensive Line
