Tag: John Jancek

LSU DL coach Jimmy Lindsey to step away due to personal health matter

John Jancek will coach the defensive line while analyst Bob Diaco will be elevated to the on-field staff, coach Brian Kelly said.

Newly hired LSU defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] will be stepping away from the program as he deals with a personal health matter, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said in a statement on Wednesday. The news comes on the eve of the Tigers’ first practice of fall camp.

Outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] will serve as defensive line coach during Lindsey’s absence. [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag], a former head coach at UConn and current analyst, will be elevated to an on-field role to take Jancek’s spot.

“Our prayers are with Coach Lindsey and his family, and we ask that their privacy be respected,” Kelly said in the statement. “We look forward to his return to the program.”

Lindsey was hired earlier this offseason after spending the last two years at South Carolina in the same role. He replaced [autotag]Jamar Cain[/autotag], who left to become a pass-rush specialist on Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos staff.

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Brian Kelly sheds light on how LSU plans to use Harold Perkins

Expect to see even more versatility from Harold Perkins in 2023.

One of the stories of the 2023 offseason for LSU has been how star defender [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] will be used this fall.

He emerged as a pass rusher last year but in the spring, he worked as an inside linebacker. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] said Perkins came to LSU to learn how to play inside backer, and that’s where he was getting his reps.

Perkins is too good as a pass rusher to completely ignore that aspect of his game. In the spring, House said Perkins would still work with [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] and the outside linebackers in pass-rush packages.

But we’ll also see Perkins rushing more from the inside too.

At SEC media days, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] spoke about his hopes for Perkins in 2023. Kelly said teams could slide their pass protection to Perkins’ side last year, giving the offense a numbers advantage on the edge while using a running back to protect on the other side.

Opponents could do this because, as Kelly puts it, “We really didn’t have an inside guy that could win every single one on one matchup.”

Getting [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] back changes that. The staff believes he can be a pass-rushing force on the interior. That allows more flexibility for Perkins.

You could rush Perkins up the middle and guarantee he’s one on one. From the outside, teams have a decision to make: Slide outside to block Perkins, or double-team Smith on the interior.

With Perkins and Smith, LSU has two versatile players that can do it all up front. That wasn’t the case last year with Smith out and Perkins just beginning to get his feet wet at this level.

Expect LSU’s defense to take another step forward with these two on the field together now.

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PFF compares Harold Perkins to Micah Parsons

Perkins draws high praise entering his sophomore year.

[autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2022 and is drawing some high praise entering his sophomore year.

PFF’s Max Chadwick compared Perkins to star Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons, highlighting the defensive versatility of both linebackers.

Perkins, much like Parsons, came to college as a middle linebacker. But last year in an effort to increase Perkins’ role, LSU used him all over the place, especially as a pass rusher.

Parsons saw a similar trajectory in the NFL with the Cowboys to the point where he now says he’ll be a full-time edge defender.

That won’t be the case for Perkins this year. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] and LSU coaches have said Perkins is spending the majority of his time working with the traditional linebackers.

In pass rush packages, Perkins will go work with outside linebackers coach [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] and the JACK linebackers.

Per PFF, Perkins had the fifth-best pass rush grade among all Power 5 defenders last year. Among SEC linebackers, his 41 pressures led the conference.

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What to know about new LSU DL coach Jimmy Lindsey

LSU’s on-field staff is complete following the addition of Lindsey, who comes in after spending two years at South Carolina.

LSU and [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] have found their new defensive line coach.

[autotag]Jimmy Lindsey[/autotag] will head to Baton Rouge after spending two years with South Carolina. Lindsey replaces [autotag]Jamar Cain[/autotag], who took a job with the Denver Broncos as a pass rush specialist.

In Cain’s absence, analyst [autotag]Gerald Chatman[/autotag] worked with the LSU defensive line this spring. Lindsey will work with the interior defensive line while new addition [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] handles the outside linebackers.

After some minor shuffling, LSU’s staff should now be complete barring any unforeseen departures. Here are five things to know about the newest assistant.

John Jancek offers more insight into how LSU plans to utilize Harold Perkins

Here’s more insight into how LSU could use Perkins in 2023.

For much of the spring, we’ve heard about LSU’s commitment to playing [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] at inside linebacker.

Perkins was a Swiss Army knife for LSU in 2022, playing in a hybrid role and often rushing the passer. While he emerged as one of the best defenders in the country, defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] said Perkins came to LSU to learn inside linebacker.

Perkins has been working as the WILL linebacker in most situations, but at a press conference on Tuesday, outside linebackers coach [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] said Perkins still slips to the outside on third down and pass rush situations.

“When we go to our third down package, Harold will come over and we’ll talk about line stunts. He’ll come with us and the d-line and the players that are part of our third down package, he’ll work line stunts and pressures and things of that nature,” Jancek told the media.

Jancek re-emphasized that LSU is happy with the work Perkins is doing at WILL linebacker and added that Perkins impresses with everything he does.

“He’s been very consistent. Y’all know Harold. I can’t say enough great things,” Jancek said.

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John Jancek details LSU’s new approach to special teams

Here’s how Jancek is approaching special teams with LSU.

Special teams was a major issue for LSU in 2022.

It led to a change, with [autotag]Brian Polian[/autotag] shifting into an outside roll and [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] now overseeing the unit. At a press conference on Tuesday, Jancek offered some insight into how LSU is approaching special teams.

“I think we’ve made great strides. We’ve tweaked a few things, but not a lot. It’s not about what we did, but about we did it,” Jancek said, “That’s been our emphasis. I think the players have responded really well.”

Jancek isn’t the only one working with the unit. He has the help of several assistants and said every area of special teams has been divided up with their own coach responsible for it.

Jancek added that veteran assistant coach [autotag]Frank Wilson[/autotag] is one of those guys helping.

Hearing Jancek, it doesn’t sound like fans should expect an overhaul of the unit, but just a renewed focus on the fundementals.

“You got to have guys out there that do the little things right.”

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Brian Kelly says LSU will be patient in hiring next defensive line coach

Here’s when LSU could be hiring Jamar Cain’s replacement..

After [autotag]Jamar Cain[/autotag] took an NFL job, LSU is without a defensive line coach.

Gerald Chatman, a defensive analyst, is filling in throughout the spring. It looks like Chatman will stay in that role in the meantime with Brian Kelly saying LSU doesn’t expect to hire Cain’s replacement until spring practice concludes.

Kelly added that Chatman is getting a chance at the job and said LSU is going to evaluate all of its options in and out of house.

“This is a position its important where we examine all options.”

“Coach Chatman as you know is a well-credentialed, experienced defensive line coach,” Kelly added.

Chatman is working with the guys on the interior while [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] handles duties with the outside linebackers.

“We wanna get through the spring and go from there.”

That doesn’t come as a surprise. With Chatman and Jancek, LSU’s defensive line is in a good spot and Kelly has no reason to rush. When spring ends, LSU will be able to step back and see what the best move forward is.

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LSU promotes John Jancek to on-field role, replaces Brian Polian

LSU will stay in-house to fill its coaching vacancy.

LSU will stay in-house to fill its one current on-field coaching vacancy.

Analyst [autotag]John Jancek[/autotag] has been promoted to special teams and outside linebackers coach after [autotag]Brian Polian[/autotag], LSU’s special teams coach in 2022, moved into a general manager role last month.

LSU interviewed several outside candidates, but [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] opted to rol1 with a familiar face. Kelly’s relationship with Jancek goes all the way back to their time at Grand Valley State.

Jancek’s playing days overlapped with Kelly’s time as an assistant. Jancek later returned to GVSU as defensive coordinator when Kelly was the head coach.

Jancek has SEC experience, holding positions at Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky throughout his career. He’s coached defensive line, linebackers, and safeties.

Working with special teams and OLBs, Jancek will oversee two units that need some work entering 2023. The special teams struggles of 2022 were well documented, and LSU’s replacing its top edge rushers on defense.

With Jancek’s promotion, continuity remains a theme on LSU’s coaching staff.

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How John Jancek could benefit Tennessee’s defensive personnel

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek is currently serving as a defensive quality control coach at Georgia.

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek is currently serving as a defensive quality control coach at Georgia.

Jancek served as the Vols’ defensive coordinator from 2013-15 under head coach Butch Jones, running a hybrid scheme.

A return to Tennessee for Jancek remains in the early stages for anything to materialize in joining Josh Heupel’s staff.

However, Jancek could benefit the Vols’ defense by coaching its current player personnel that are accustomed to schemes he has been around at Georgia under Kirby Smart.

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL; Tennessee Volunteers defensive coordinator John Jancek during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Smart’s defensive scheme is similar to former Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt, the system that Jancek has been learning.

Below are some looks that Smart runs at Georgia that Jancek could teach with a smooth transition at Tennessee.

Smart likes to showcase a boundary-side cornerback blitz, which typically leaves a boundary-side safety playing man coverage on the No. 1 wide receiver, creating a 2-high coverage to the field-side.

In Smart’s defense, CLAMP is where a cornerback plays against the No. 2 wide receiver within five yards to defend the flat.

In 3×1 sets, CLAMP is with the No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers, and man coverage is on the No. 3 wide receiver that is playing underneath (HOOK). Man coverage happens on the No. 3 wide receiver when he is underneath, except for when the No. 3 wide receiver is running a curl route, or going deep on a crossing route.

When an opponent lines up in 11-personnel, on the 3×1 side, Smart will not shy away from running STUBBIE. STUBBIE is when the cornerbacks play tight coverage and are not off the ball. On the weak-side, STUBBIE and STUMP are the same.

The MONEY is the POSTER. The field cornerback will play press coverage on the No. 1 wide receiver. The STAR has the No. 2 wide receiver, six yards off, unless the third wide receiver goes into the flat. If the No. 3 wide receiver enters the flat, the STAR has him. If the No. 2 wide receiver goes underneath, the STAR also has the responsibility for him.

The weakness of STUBBIE is vertical passes and post routes against the safeties.

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A look at the reality of John Jancek possibly returning to Tennessee

Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27 and is in the process of filling his staff.

Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27 and is in the process of filling his staff.

Former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek is currently serving as a defensive quality control coach at Georgia.

Vols Wire has learned that Jancek could be in line to return to Tennessee as defensive coordinator under Heupel, but is in the early stages for anything to materialize.

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL; Tennessee Volunteers defensive coordinator John Jancek during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jancek would be an ideal fit for Heupel’s staff as he would have a desire in returning to Tennessee and coaching with the Vols’ resources that the program offers from a recruiting standpoint.

After serving as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator from 2013-15, Jancek was  safeties coach at South Florida in 2016.

He went to Kentucky in 2017 as a consultant before becoming defensive coordinator at Colorado State (2018-19).

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