University of St. Francis (III.)

Dennis Jensen joined the Fighting Saints in July of 2012 as an assistant coach for the softball team.  The 2025-26 season will mark Jensen’s 14th year with the program.

At St. Francis, Jensen assists the program in recruitment efforts, coordination of practice plans, individual player development, assisting in training sessions, and implementation of game strategies.

Prior to joining the Fighting Saints staff, Jensen spent 14 seasons (1990-2003) in the coaching ranks within ASA, NSA, USSSAA, and Women’s Majors Fastpitch organizations.  While coaching for the Braidwood Cougars, Coal City Rebels, Plainfield Panthers, Oak Forest Royals, and Elite Force organizations, Jensen helped guide those programs to 14 straight national championship tournament qualifications, finishing as high as third in the country in 1997 and 2003.

Jensen brings 50+ years of combined coaching, umpiring, and playing experience to St. Francis after competing for 20 seasons as a pitcher and catcher for the Kankakee K’s in the Men’s Major ASA Fastpitch league.  He is a current member of the National Umpires Association, and previously worked throughout the high school and collegiate fastpitch circuit for 25+ years.

Outside of softball, Jensen served a combined 11 years as the Director of Recreation and Alcohol Rehabilitation at Manteno Mental Health Center and Kankakee State Hospital/Shapiro Developmental Center.  He also held the post of Director of Athletics & Recreation/Academic Coordinator at Stateville Correctional Center from 1974-1985 and served in the same position at Joliet Correctional Center from 1985 until his retirement in 1998.

A Kankakee, Ill. native, Jensen earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education Olivet Nazarene University in 1969 as was a pitcher on the university’s inaugural baseball team.  He obtained his Master’s degree in Education with a Special Education endorsement from Indiana State University in 1972.

Jensen also currently operates two businesses in Kankakee and resides in Bourbonnais with his wife, Linda.