This is part six of a 12-part series spotlighting the new head coaches in the region penned by D2EastHoops columnist Tim McCaffrey.
Kerry Jenkins, the new women’s basketball coach at Wilmington (DE) University, is no stranger to taking on a tough job. While the Wildcats have fallen on hard times, their new leader has a plan. If his prior place of employment, Oberlin College, is any indication, things could be looking up for the Delaware school.
In 2008, Jenkins took over the women’s team at the tiny D3 school in the Ohio town that bears its name. Oberline, known more for its four Nobel Laureates than for its women’s basketball prowess, averaged five wins per season in 32 years of hooping prior to his arrival. Jenkins not only made the school’s women’s hoop program relevant, he guided the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2018.
“We just were really lucky,” said the first-year Wildcats coach on his NCAA run. “We played three teams we matched up very well with and were able to cut down the nets.”
The connection of Wilmington and Jenkins was total happenstance.
“I was burned out at Oberlin,” Jenkins said. “My wife was offered the women’s lacrosse (head coach) job at Delaware State. I was teaching at Calvary Christian Academy in Dover and was like, let me inquire about the job and next thing you know I was saying, this is the perfect fit for me.”
The high school science and math teacher says he will use a little bit of both in his coaching style.
“There’s definitely a mathematical side to coaching, and also a scientific side. It’s important to combine the many aspects and that is really an art.”
What type of team can the Wildcats faithful expect?
“We’re going to play basketball and we’ll be a handful. Our goal is to be selective with our shots and force people to shoot over the top of us on the defensive side.”
While March Madness is the ultimate goal, there are many other smaller hurdles along the way.
“NCAA Tournaments are the validation of your career, but we need to establish the disciplines of success. We only have one senior, there’s a chance to build something nice.”
Jenkins loves coaching, but if you stop by campus don’t expect to see him at a desk.
“I don’t like working in an office,” quipped the all-time wins leader at Oberlin. “I’ll be in the gym at the scorer’s table.”
Tim McCaffrey is an opinion and features writer for D2EastHoops. He can be reached at tpmccaffrey@gmail.com
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