Pat Denecke enters his first season as Offensive Line Coach for the Blue Streaks in 2026.
Denecke brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience and a strong background in developing offensive linemen and coordinating run-game offenses.
Before joining the JCU staff, Denecke coached at multiple Division I and Division I FCS programs. Most recently, he served as the offensive line coach at College of the Holy Cross, helping the Crusaders capture a share of the Patriot League championship during his first season on staff.
Prior to Holy Cross, Denecke was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Western Illinois University in 2023. He coached the offensive line at Valparaiso University in 2022, where his unit helped power a productive offense and contributed to the program’s strongest road performance in league play in decades.
Earlier in his career, Denecke spent several seasons at University of Maine, where he worked as assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and offensive line coach after initially coaching tight ends. Maine notched two FBS wins and made an FCS Semifinal appearance in 2018. He also served as a graduate assistant at University of Nevada, Reno and began his coaching career as the offensive line coach at Bethany College.
Denecke played collegiately on the offensive line at Washington & Jefferson College, where he was a three-year letterman and two-year starter. During his career, the Presidents compiled a 40-7 record, won two conference championships, and made four NCAA playoff appearances.
Denecke has coached four players signed NFL contracts / invited to NFL camp (Jeremy Salmon - TE/Maine, Liam Dobson OL/Maine, PJ Barr OL/Maine, Mike Gerace, OL/Maine). Seven players he recruited were drafted into the CFL.
