Jenkins will join staff to help defense

By Gary Klein

USC is in the process of adding veteran defensive line coach Pete Jenkins to its staff, interim Coach Ed Orgeron said Tuesday.

Jenkins, 72, coached at Louisiana State and numerous other college programs in the South before joining the Philadelphia Eagles’ staff in 2006. Jenkins retired after the 2009 season.

Currently, Orgeron oversees the defensive line, Mike Ekeler linebackers and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast also coaches defensive backs.

“After about a week of being the head coach, the defensive line coach and the recruiting coordinator, and the guy in charge of discipline and this and that, I felt I could use a hand,” said Orgeron, who added Jenkins’ hiring was expected to become official soon.

Orgeron said Jenkins has worked for USC as a consultant and had planned to consult again before “all this happened.” Orgeron was named interim coach after

Lane Kiffin was fired Sept. 29. Orgeron called former California coach

Jeff Tedford last week to gauge his interest in helping the Trojans. Tedford, who would have assisted on offense, passed.

Orgeron said Tuesday he learned defensive line technique from Jenkins.

“If I want to go to the offense for a couple of drills or something like that, I have a very qualified guy there,” Orgeron said.

At Thursday’s game against Arizona, Pendergast and graduate assistant Ross Cumming will oversee the defensive line, Orgeron said.

Standouts will sit

All-American receiver Marqise Lee and linebacker Morgan Breslin are not expected to play against Arizona because of injuries, Orgeron said.

Lee has not played since suffering a knee sprain against Arizona State. Breslin is nursing a hip injury. The senior, who had a teambest 13 sacks last season, sat out the opener against Hawaii because of a foot injury.

Receiver Darreus Rogers ( ankle) is questionable.

Quick hits

Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen addressed the Trojans on Tuesday. “We have a great tradition here and we need to lean on these guys,” Orgeron said of former players, adding that current players “listen to them a lot more than listen to us on some occasions.”…. USC President Max Nikias attended part of practice.