A legend in the pantheon of LSU football announced that he is retiring at the end of the season on Sunday evening.
Pete Jenkins, who first joined the program back in 1980 as the defensive line coach, will retire after LSU’s bowl according to head coach Ed Orgeron.
“We are forever grateful for Coach Jenkins and his 15 years of service to LSU,” Orgeron said in a statement released by the university. “Coach Jenkins is one of the most respected coaches in football when it comes to defensive play.
Jenkins, 76, joined the Tigers for the third time in his career after Orgeron was promoted to interim head coach after the firing of Les Miles.
“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.”
Outside linebackers coach Dennis Johnson will take over as the defensive line coach following the bowl game, which is still to be determined.
-Clint Domingue