There are few opinions around the NFL that are more highly respected than that of Pete Jenkins, so the former pro and college coach's opinion of Ryan Nielsen holds a bit of weight.
And Jenkins has high expectations for the career prospects of the man entering his first season as the New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator on Dennis Allen's staff.
"I think he'll be a head coach," said Jenkins, whose 53-year college coaching career -- a majority of which was with LSU -- came to an end in 2017. "He's traveling that path, I think."
Listen to the full interview with Pete Jenkins in the player below. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Jenkins, speaking with Mike Detillier on SportsTalk from the Louisiana Line Camp held annually at Nicholls State University, relayed his history with Nielsen with dates back to the coach's days with NC State, where he developed a track record of putting pass-rushers into the NFL.
Nielsen has been a member of the Saints' coaching staff since 2017, and nearly left to become LSU's defensive coordinator for the 2021 season before Sean Payton and Co. pulled him back to New Orleans with the new title of assistant head coach to go with his existing title of defensive line coach. The faith the team showed in him was doubled down this past offseason, when he was retained as the co-DC alongside secondary coach Kris Richard.
Nielsen has traveled far and wide in his coaching career already, with stints at USC, Ole Miss, Central Connecticut State, UT Martin, Northern Illinois, and the aforementioned NC State.
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Jenkins points to the development of players like Marcus Davenport, Trey Hendrickson, David Onyemata and others, all of whom have thrived under Neilsen's leadership.
"I love Ryan, and he's done such a fabulous job for the Saints," Jenkins said. "I was really afraid he would leave this year. I want him to stay with the Saints, I really do."