Head coach Jim Whitesell has completed his coaching staff with the addition of Hunter Jenkins as assistant coach. Jenkins most recently served as assistant coach at junior college powerhouse Odessa CC.
This past season, Odessa went 28-7 and 14-2 in the WJCAC, one of the top junior college conferences in the nation. The Wranglers advanced to the Elite Eight of the NJCAA Tournament. Jenkins coached former Bull James Reese, who was a third-team junior college All-American this past season.
“Hunter is one of best young minds in the game and has a real knack for discovering and evaluating talent,” said Whitesell. “He is going to fit in really well with our staff and his passion for the game will resonate well with our players.”
Prior to working at Odessa, Jenkins worked at Trinity Valley CC where he recruited and signed the #1 ranked junior college player in the nation, Wendell Mitchell. The Cardinals finished the season with a 28-5 record and a Sweet 16 Finish in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Prior to coaching at Trinity Valley, Jenkins served as a graduate assistant coach at Texas Tech under Big 12 coach of the year, Chris Beard. While in Lubbock, Jenkins was a part of a staff that upset two top 10 nationally ranked teams. Also during Jenkins tenure in Lubbock, the Red Raiders reeled in an elite recruiting class that included 2018 NBA Lottery Pick, Zhaire Smith.
Jenkins has also had a stop in Ruston, Louisiana where he was a graduate/student assistant for two seasons at Louisiana Tech. Jenkins received the opportunity to learn under current Florida Gator Head Coach, Mike White, in his first season for the Bulldogs. In his final season on the bench at Louisiana Tech, Jenkins aided current Bulldog head coach Eric Konkol. Louisiana Tech posted and impressive 50-19 record during Jenkins two years as a Bulldog.
In 2017, Coach Jenkins was voted one of the top 15 diamond in the rough college coaches according to coachstat.net.
A native of Palestine, Texas, Coach Jenkins won a state championship in 2010 playing for his father at Cayuga High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and has a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University.
