Blinn’s Jenkins sets new record for coaching victories

BRENHAM, Texas – Jeff Jenkins is now the winningest coach in Blinn College women's basketball history.

The 16th-ranked, undefeated Blinn Buccaneers defeated Western Texas College 75-61 Thursday night at the Blinn P.E. Building. The victory, which improved the Bucs to 8-0 on the season, gave Jenkins more victories than any other coach in program history. Now in his 11th season at Blinn, Jenkins boasts a 201-123 record with the Buccaneers. In 13 total seasons as a collegiate head coach, he holds a 254-161 overall record.

"I'm proud to have been at Blinn College for 10 ½ years and had solid, competitive teams each year, but I told the team after the game that I hate to take away from them," Jenkins said. "They're 8-0 and ranked 16th in the nation, so I thought it was very unselfish of them to let me have that moment."

The Buccaneers struggled early as the Lady Westerners scored 13 of the game's first 17 points. Blinn didn't take its first lead of the game until there was 1:30 remaining in the first half. But the Buccaneers would never look back as they led throughout the second half.

Sophomore forward Audrisa Harrison led Blinn with 21 points, while Aarika Reyna scored 14 and Moe Bedford added 10.

A native of Round Rock, Jenkins played his collegiate basketball at Midwestern State University and Howard Payne University. He was named team captain at Howard Payne during his junior and senior seasons, and was named to the All-Conference Academic team both seasons. During his senior season, the team won the TIAA Conference and was invited to the NAIA II National Tournament.

Jenkins began his coaching career in 1995 at Midwestern State University, where he worked for two seasons under former Blinn coach Wayne Williams.

"I appreciate everything he did to get me into women's basketball," Jenkins said. "I was going to coach men when I was 22 years old and volunteering at Midwestern State, but I found out the women had an opening in August and I went and met with him, and he gave me my first job. I'll always owe him everything."

Jenkins earned his bachelor's in sport and exercise science from Howard Payne University and his master's in physical education from Midwestern State University. Jenkins and his wife Tiffany have three daughters, Allyson, Lindy and Rhyan.

The Buccaneers will be on the road Saturday when they travel to Waco to play McLennan Community College at 2 p.m.