A native of Waterloo, Chuck started his wrestling career at East Waterloo High School under coach Dave Natvig. Chuck says that he didn't have a distinguished high school career but had decent Junior and Senior seasons, placing in the State Tournament. Chuck enrolled at State College of Iowa, now known as the University of Northern Iowa. Continuing his wrestling career under Bill Kohl, he posted a 28-5-2 dual record in three years of competition. One year after graduating from UNI, Chuck earned his Masters Degree from Oregon. Chuck started his coaching career at Exeter High School in California, guiding his team to a state title in only the second year of competition. In 1965 he took over as Head Coach at the University of Northern Iowa, where he had 17 consecutive winning seasons and a pair of NCAA Division II titles. His career record of 218-86-8 has made him one of the best in Northern Iowa history, yielding 58 Division II All-Americans along with 16 National Champions. His 1975 and 1978 squads earned National Team Titles, while his 1970, 1972, 1974 and 1980 teams finished as runner-ups.

Chuck Patten was the head coach at the University of Northern Iowa for 18 years, compiling a record of 217-87-8 and winning two Division II NCAA team titles. Along the way, he produced 16 national champions and 58 wrestlers who won All-American honors. Patten wrestled at East Waterloo High School, placing fourth in the 1955 state meet, and for Bill Koll at UNI. He was president of both the Division I and Division II coaches associations and was chair of the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee from 1974-1978, the only Division II coach to receive this honor. He also served as a color commentator for Iowa Public Television broadcasts from 1983 to 1986. Today, he lives in Everett, Washington.