Jenkins battled in trenches for NIU
HUNTLEY — Kyle Jenkins had a different perspective than most football fans when Northern Illinois University gained national attention with a 16-14 shocking win at Notre Dame Sept. 7.
Currently Jenkins is an assistant coach for the Red Raiders defensive linemen. He played on NIU’s defensive line from 2009-11.
“What I enjoyed most about the (NIU) win over Notre Dame was how the players played with no fear going against such a historic program,” Jenkins said. “They stuck with their game plan and ran the ball while the defense took advantage of the mistakes Notre Dame made offensively. It was such a huge win for the program and it was great to see the players along with all of the alumni celebrate the victory.”
The Huskies season, with a 2-0 record and a current 23rd Associated Press rating, will likely be forever known as the year the DeKalb school knocked off the then No. 5 Fighting Irish, NIU’s first win against a top 10 team. Kanon Woodhill etched his name in Huskie lore with a 35-yard field goal with 30 seconds left for the winning points. The NIU celebration was on after a 62-yard field goal by Notre Dame with 10 seconds left was blocked. NIU, 2-0, will battle Buffalo to begin Mid-American Conference games at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in DeKalb.
Jenkins always battled in the trenches of defensive end, enjoying a successful prep program at Driscoll High School, a four-time high school champion in Itasca where he won Class 4A all-state honors. He was also successful for two seasons at junior college football at Harper College in Palatine. At Harper, he played two seasons highlighted by an 11-1 season where he was first-team all conference and has almost 20 quarterback sacks.
After graduation from NIU in 2012, Jenkins taught and coached at St. Viator High School and Judson University before joining head coach Mike Naymola’s Huntley staff.
“As for my time at NIU, I really enjoyed the relationships I made with teammates as well as coaches,” Jenkins said. “I had the opportunity to play with some great players like quarterback Chandler Harnish, quarterback Jordan Lynch (a Heisman Trophy finalist), and safety Jimmie Ward (who played in the NFL at San Fransisco),” Jenkins recalled.
Jenkins is a long-time Bears fan who was coached at NIU by Jerry Kill and then Dave Doreen. Jenkins concluded his playing career with a memorable effort in the 2012 GoDaddy Bowl, a 38-20 NIU win over Arkansas State. He started in that game. According to NIU archives, he recorded seven tackles, 1.5 Tackle for Loss (TFL), one-half sack and two pass deflections. He played in all 14 games that season for the league champion Huskies, who finished 11-3.
“After high school, I played for two years at Harper College, and was able to receive offers from NIU and Mid-American Conference schools Western and Eastern Michigan along with many other FCS schools,” Jenkins said. “I chose NIU because I knew they had a great football program. When I was in high school they had some very successful seasons. It also helped my good high school friend John Tranchitella was already on the team at the time.”
Jenkins knew early on he wished to have coaching football in his future.
“After my time at NIU, I wanted to get into coaching right away,” he said. “I always wanted to be around the game and help develop the next generation of players both on and off the field. I had many coaches throughout my playing career that played a key role in my life and made me the man I am today. I hope that I can play the same role for the players that I coach.”
This week the Red Raiders are preparing for the annual Homecoming clash, against Fox Valley Conference rival Prairie Ridge Sept. 20.
