AIB names new head coach

AIB College of Business has named former University of Northern Iowa standout Cory Jenkins as its new men’s basketball head coach.

Jenkins served as assistant coach at AIB the past two seasons and was named interim men’s basketball coach in January. He then guided AIB to a win over St. Ambrose University to close the Midwest Collegiate Conference regular season.

“I am very honored to be the next men’s head basketball coach at AIB, and I plan to take full advantage of this great opportunity,” Jenkins said. “We have an outstanding group of young men, and together we will work hard to take the AIB men’s basketball program to the next level.”

A four-time letter-winner at University of Northern Iowa (1996-2000), Jenkins finished his collegiate career with 653 total points.

While at UNI, he played in 102 games with 81 starting assignments. He averaged 9.4 points per game his senior year, ranking second on the team, and shot 57.6 percent from the floor, leading the team and the Missouri Valley Conference.

Jenkins also had an extensive career overseas, playing for Cluj-Napoca Romania in the Romanian Basketball League and Nurnberg Germany in the German Basketball League.

He was the leading scorer for Cluj-Napoca and helped Nurnberg to the German League Championship as the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder.

“We wanted a candidate who is high-energy and who had experience playing on the big stage,” said AIB Director of Athletics Keith Coleman. “We also wanted a candidate who was respected by his players and his peers, and someone who has a passion for AIB. Coach Jenkins is all of those things and more.”

Coleman said Jenkins’ passion is evident in the way he coaches and in his love for the game of basketball.

“That passion carried over into his time as the interim head coach,” Coleman said. “He has coached some outstanding games, and also has been instrumental in developing players at AIB. I believe he will continue to have a great impact on our basketball program, and I look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Jenkins holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Northern Iowa. He previously served as director of the Impact Zone in Des Moines, where he developed and implemented a summer program for school-aged kids.

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