Kai Kroeger shares what Pete Lembo means to him, South Carolina's special teams
Most know Pete Lembo as one of the best special teams coordinators in college football. But what they might not know is that he also happens to be a major history buff.
“He brings a new energy new or different energy every day to the building. Whether it’s his World War II references, historic, somehow he manages to slip them into every meeting,” punter Kai Kroeger said at SEC Media Days.
In special teams meetings, Lembo will try to make references to historical moments to help inspire his players to be better.
I think it’s honestly how much time he puts into it, how much he cares about it. I’ve been around a lot of people that have pushed special teams to the side, whether it was high school or my first year in college, maybe it wasn’t as much of a focus,” Kroeger said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence that we know our coaches care that much. We also see how much he does. He’s in the building probably more than anybody almost. He’s scheming up something, asking us what we think about something. So we love that.”
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It’s not just his love for history that Lembo shares with his players. He tries to make sure that he’s doing the most for them whenever he can.
“We all went out to dinner, I think last week it was, and he tries to do little things like that. I know we’re planning to play mini golf soon,” Kroeger said.
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It might seem like it doesn’t really matter but it means everything to the players. They’ve become closer as a result.
“We all have a great relationship. And it makes it more personable,” Kroeger said. “So it’s not like the only time you’re talking to him is in a coaching sense. You can kind of see him where he’s like a dad almost just trying to be that funny guy.”
Shortly after Shane Beamer became head coach in 2020, Lembo was brought on board. He got right to work to develop the special teams into one of the best groups. Special teams have since played a key role in why the Gamecocks have been successful since his arrival.
“I look back at my freshman year. There were guys turning their shoulders to special teams or not wanting to be on units,” Kroeger said. “Now Coach Lembo can’t stop guys coming into his office, asking if they can be on punt, kickoff return. That gives us confidence as specialists, knowing it’s the guy blocking for me, covering Mitch’s (Jeter) kicks, they want to be there 100%, not somebody giving half effort,” Kroeger said.
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And in the process, Lembo helped turn Kroeger into one of the best punters in the nation.
“He’s arguably been the most impactful person from a football standpoint that I’ve had in my life,” Kroeger said. “When he first got here, it took some getting used to how he was and the things he was trying to bring and change. But ever since that first little time he was here, I’ve loved him ever since.”
