Longtime defensive line coach Pete Jenkins will retire, according to a press release from LSU.
“The LSU football program benefitted and improved because of Coach Jenkins,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said in the press release. “Our defensive line played at an extremely high level throughout the 2017 season due to the teaching, technique and expectations he instilled on his players.”
Jenkins returned to LSU to coach the defensive line after Orgeron was named interim head coach. The 76-year-old, Jenkins previously served as LSU’s defensive line coach from 1980-1990 and 2000-2001. He was the Tigers’ defensive coordinator in 1982 and from 1987-1989.
“Outside of my family, the greatest thing that has happened to Pete Jenkins is LSU football,” Jenkins said in the press release. “It was my dream to be able to coach at LSU and I’ve been fortunate enough to do it on three different occasions.”
Current outside linebackers coach Dennis Johnson will take over for Jenkins following the bowl game.
“When I came back last year, my hope was to be helpful to Coach O,” Jenkins said. “He’s been so good to me. I really appreciate the opportunity to come back. Being 76 (years old), I wouldn’t have come back to for anyone but Coach O. I feel great about the direction Coach O has the program headed and the things that he’s doing.
“There are so many special memories for me and my family at LSU. I’ve been truly blessed. There’s no place better on a Saturday night than Tiger Stadium and I will always be a Tiger. The timing is right. I just can’t express how much LSU football means to me.”