Written by Caroline Deisley, USC blog contributor
In the past dozen years, USC has been blessed with elite defensive linemen like All-Americans Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson and Sedrick Ellis, most of whom were groomed under the intense eye of Ed Orgeron. But now that Coach O's gaze has widened across the entire team as the interim head coach, he reached out to an old friend who shares his country roots and passions to assist in tutoring his prized unit.
In the past dozen years, USC has been blessed with elite defensive linemen like All-Americans Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson and Sedrick Ellis, most of whom were groomed under the intense eye of Ed Orgeron. But now that Coach O's gaze has widened across the entire team as the interim head coach, he reached out to an old friend who shares his country roots and passions to assist in tutoring his prized unit. Coach O called on his mentor of more than 30 years, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach Pete Jenkins.
"He said the magic words," Jenkins said. "He's got a heart of gold and when he said I need your help, like my wife said, 'ain't no turning back now. Boy, we're going."
Jenkins is coming out of retirement from a 40-year coaching career in which he was a part of five SEC championship teams and two NFL playoff teams, not to mention coaching 17 All-SEC player selections and more than 30 future NFL players.
"I just want to be helpful," said Jenkins in his thick Southern accent. "I teach [the players] everything I know which don't take long. That's what I enjoy about the game."
Jenkins presides over a defensive line that has 20 sacks on the season. He's been blessed with talents like sophomore Leonard Williams who leads the team in tackles, including a 12-tackle performance against the Arizona Wildcats and a team-leading 9 more versus Notre Dame.
"There's a great culture in that room which Coach Orgeron started. They're really fun and they give you a great effort and full attention," Jenkins praised. "It's a really outstanding bunch of men. I think some of them really have great features and will be really good down the road."
Jenkins is motivated by the love and respect he has for the new interim head coach. He said, "I've got a friend who has a dream and I want to be as helpful as I can in anyway I can...I really did it out of love for him because I truly love the guy."
This 30-year relationship arose from one fateful encounter at a coaching clinic when Jenkins, Orgeron, and the Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson met in a hotel room where they talked football from early in the morning to Midnight.
"The day went by so quickly but I knew immediately they were two bright young coaches," reminisced Jenkins.
For Coach O, having his long-time friend around brings comfort in a difficult time of transition, as the Trojans are 1-2 in conference play and extremely banged up.
He described the experience of working with Jenkins as "Christmas-like" and mentioned his appreciation for Jenkins' Southern roots saying, "I love all his Southern terms that he uses. A lot of the guys are like, 'Coach, what does that mean?' So I'll have to translate."
After a full week of practice working closely with the defensive line, Jenkins had his first real challenge against the Notre Dame offense. The defensive line contributed to the effort which held Notre Dame to 134 yards rushing. The pass-rushing duo of Morgan Breslin and Devon Kennard combined for a sack adding on to Williams' outstanding performance as the Trojans shutout the Fighting Irish in the second half.
The Trojans returned to Troy banged up and heart-broken but it's nothing that the coaching staff cannot handle. Orgeron and Jenkins will get back to work with the comfort of knowing that their 30-year relationship has seen it all before.
