Tag: John Jancek

Report: LSU football moves on from 2 more off-field staffers

John Jancek wasn’t the only staffer LSU parted ways with on Monday.

It seems the offseason staff shakeup at LSU isn’t quite done yet.

On Monday, it was revealed that defensive line coach [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag], who no longer had a clear role on the staff, would not be retained. Later in the day, we learned two more off-field staffers would not return in 2024.

According to a report from Football Scoop, LSU has parted ways with offensive analysts [autotag]Terry Malone[/autotag] and [autotag]John McDonell[/autotag].

Both veteran coaches, Malone came to LSU after three years as the offensive coordinator at Bowling Green. He previously won a national title on Michigan’s staff in 1997 and later served as the program’s offensive coordinator. He also won a Super Bowl as a member of the New Orleans Saints staff.

McDonell has worked at a number of schools, including Notre Dame (though not under Kelly). He arrived at LSU after spending the previous four seasons coaching in the Canadian Football League.

According to Football Scoop, Jancek, Malone and McDonell all intend to coach again and will actively seek opportunities in the coming weeks.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on X: @TylerNettuno

Report: LSU assistant John Jancek no longer on staff

John Jancek has been on staff the last two seasons, most recently serving as the interim defensive line coach this fall.

LSU completed a full-on overhaul of its defensive staff on Monday as assistant [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag], who served as the Tigers’ defensive line coach in 2023, will no longer be on staff. The news was first reported by The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander.

Jancek was retained when coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] fired four defensive assistants including defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] following the ReliaQuest Bowl, but his role moving forward was unclear as LSU had already filled out its defensive staff with other hires.

After working as a defensive quality control assistant at Georgia, Jancek joined Brian Kelly’s staff as an analyst in 2022. Heading into the 2023 season, he was promoted to outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, though his role changed in the fall when defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] was away from the team dealing with a health issue.

Jancek served in Lindsey’s place during the season, and Lindsey was one of the coaches whom Kelly let go this offseason.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

New LSU tight ends coach Slade Nagle to also serve as special teams coordinator

Slade Nagle previously worked as an analyst focusing on special teams at LSU in 2009.

LSU formally announced the hiring of former Tulane offensive coordinator [autotag]Slade Nagle[/autotag] as the tight ends coach on Wednesday night, officially completing the on-field staff.

News of Nagle’s hiring was reported earlier on Wednesday, but we now know that he will also serve as the special teams coordinator. [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] was hired as the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator ahead of the 2023 season, but he was moved to the defensive line when [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] took a leave of absence and was replaced by fellow assistant [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag].

Lindsey was let go along with most of the defensive staff following the season. Both Jancek and Diaco remain on staff in undetermined roles, but it seems neither will direct special teams in 2024.

Nagle, a Baton Rouge native, is returning to LSU where he served as an analyst working with special teams under Les Miles in 2009.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Maason Smith explains impact Pete Jenkins has had on LSU’s defensive line

The veteran coach was brought in to help the defensive line mid-season, and Maason Smith said it has made an impact.

With the Tigers’ defensive line struggling early in the season and defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] currently away from the team for health reasons, LSU brought in a veteran to help out [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag], who was moved to coach the position.

[autotag]Pete Jenkins[/autotag], 82, has returned to LSU for his fourth stint after serving as the team’s defensive line coach on three prior occasions. Jenkins has been brought in as an analyst to mostly help with fundamentals and technique, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has said.

It’s hard to know how much of it can be attributed to Jenkins, but LSU seems to be getting better play up front since bringing him in. Defensive tackle [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] gives a lot of that credit to the longtime coach.

“Adding coach Pete to our room it’s been very helpful,” Smith said, per On3. “Just to have an old mind like him around, somebody who was innovative in D-Line play. It’s the little things with eyes, hand placement, that will go a long way. All of that stuff we were lacking at the beginning of the season.

“Transitioning from different coaches from Orgeron my freshman year and speaking the same language O was speaking, then going to Cain and he spoke a different language (from Orgeron), so hearing that (Orgeron) language (from Jenkins) that I was used to was refreshing to me.”

The current coaching tandem of Jancek and Jenkins is the fourth Smith has had in his three seasons at LSU, and though he’s had a bit of a slow start after returning from an ACL tear last year, he’s begun to flash.

And it seems Jenkins’ expertise can be at least partially thanked for that.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Former LSU DL coach Pete Jenkins joining staff as an analyst

This will be the fourth stint at LSU for Pete Jenkins, a veteran coach whose career spanned five decades.

LSU has made a midseason addition to its offseason staff, adding former defensive line coach [autotag]Pete Jenkins[/autotag] as an analyst.

Jenkins is a longtime coaching veteran with a career that spanned five decades in the high school, college and professional ranks. The news of his hiring was first reported by Ed Daniels of WGNO in New Orleans.

This will be Jenkins’ fourth stint on the LSU staff. Initially a defensive assistant with the team from 1980-90, he returned to coach LSU’s defensive line from 2000-01 and again from 2016-17 under [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag] before he officially retired.

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said on Monday that Jenkins was brought in to assist LSU’s defensive line and coach [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag], who was moved to the position group as defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] continues to battle an undisclosed health issue.

LSU will hope adding one of the sport’s most seasoned defensive coaches will help a unit that allowed 706 yards in a 55-49 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Brian Kelly gives positive update on defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey’s health

Jimmy Lindsey is about halfway through his treatment process, and reports have been positive per Brian Kelly.

LSU defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag], who was hired away from South Carolina this offseason, is currently away from the team as he deals with what coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has only called a personal health issue.

During his Thursday press conference, however, Kelly did provide an encouraging update on Lindsey’s progress. Though he couldn’t give a timeline on when Lindsey may return to the sidelines, Kelly said that he is about halfway through treatment and that the news has been positive.

“Jimmy is continuing to make progress. He is in treatment right now,” Kelly said. “He’s about halfway through his treatments, and all reports are really positive in his treatment process. No timeline has really been established relative to that right now as he’s right in the middle of his treatments.”

With Lindsey away from the team, LSU shuffled around its staff a bit. [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag], who previously coached special teams and outside linebackers, is currently assisting with the defensive line, while former UConn head coach [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] was elevated from a defensive analyst role to assume Jancek’s previous duties.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson to return kicks and punts, other special teams notes from Brian Kelly

It’s no secret that LSU was held back by its special teams in 2022.

You didn’t have to watch much LSU football last fall to gather that execution on special teams was a limiting factor.

Those issues reared their head early and often as the Tigers lost in Week 1 against Florida State as the result of a blocked extra point in the final seconds.

After a coaching change (coordinator [autotag]Bill Polian[/autotag] was replaced with [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag], though [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] is currently filling the role), LSU hopes it has those issues fixed in 2023.

Kelly addressed the special teams on Tuesday, announcing that speedy Alabama transfer [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] will return kicks and punts. True freshman running back [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] will be the off-ball returner.

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said avoiding miscues will be key for the returners this fall.

“They’ve got to field the ball, they’ve got to be able to do the little things the right way,” Kelly said Monday.

Kelly had positive things to say about the unit in general. Placekicker [autotag]Damian Ramos[/autotag] has apparently had a good camp and seems likely to hold on to his starting spot again. Punter [autotag]Jay Bramblett[/autotag], who was named to the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award, also received praise.

“We think special teams should and can be a positive for us and influence games,” Kelly said.

If that ultimately proves to be the case, it would be a major boon for an LSU team that was held back by shoddy special teams play in an overall good campaign last fall.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU makes final 6 for top-100 EDGE Danny Okoye

LSU made the top six for edge defender Danny Okoye.

A week of busy recruiting news continued for LSU with defensive end [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag] including LSU in his top six.

According to On3, LSU is joined by Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Colorado.

There’s still a long way to go with this recruitment and 247Sports hasn’t logged any Crystal Ball predictions yet. LSU could use an edge defender after losing out on the services of five-star [autotag]Colin Simmons[/autotag].

Right now, major recruiting services differ in their views of Okoye. On3 ranks him as a top 10 EDGE in the class while 247Sports has him as a three-star.

Rivals and ESPN both rank Okoye as a top 250 overall player with four stars.

Okoye would be a big addition to a LSU class that’s recently jumped into the top 10. This cycle could tell us a lot about what [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] can do as a recruiter, especially as he oversees the entire defensive line as [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] is away from the program with a medical issue.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Brian Kelly updates recovery for LSU defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey

Jimmy Lindsey is expected to be released from the hospital soon, though he has a long road to recovery according to Brian Kelly.

LSU coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] provided an encouraging update on the status of defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag].

Lindsey, who was hired this offseason from South Carolina, is currently away from the team indefinitely as he battles an unspecified health issue.

While he didn’t get into any specifics, Kelly said that Lindsey is expected to be released from the hospital soon, though he will have a long road to recovery.

“We’ve gotten great reports,” Kelly said. “Jimmy I believe is going to be released from the hospital, either today or it’s really soon. There’s a long road of recovery ahead for him, and then there are other things that he’s going to have to handle that are personal and private for the family that they’re going to have to deal with. But very encouraging, just the fact that I’m able to talk about it in terms of leaving the hospital.

“So, really happy for Jimmy and certainly Lauren, his wife who has been there by his side every day. So a good bit of news there that we were able to get yesterday.”

In the meantime, [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] is serving as LSU’s defensive line coach while [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] was elevated to the on-field staff to take Jancek’s role as outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Who is new LSU OLB coach/special teams coordinator Bob Diaco?

Bob Diaco becomes the newest member of the on-field staff after Jimmy Lindsey stepped away from the program for health reasons.

On Wednesday afternoon, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] shared the sad news that defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] will be stepping away from the program as he deals with a personal health issue.

[autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] will be moved to coach the defensive line in the absence of Lindsey, who was hired earlier this offseason. Meanwhile, [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] becomes the newest member of the on-field staff, as he will be elevated from an analyst role to replace Jancek as outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

Diaco is a former FBS head coach, spending 2014-16 at UConn where he compiled an 11-26 record with one bowl appearance. Since then, he’s served as the defensive coordinator at Nebraska, Louisiana Tech and Purdue while also coaching linebackers at Oklahoma.

Prior to joining the Tigers’ support staff, Diaco was the defensive line coach for the New Jersey Generals of the USFL for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno