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.
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