Jenkins, a founding member of the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association, served as president of the association from 1974 to 1978 and from 1992 to 1995. Jenkins recollects there were 14 people at the founding roundtable.
"It is time to pass the baton to someone that has a higher energy level," said Jenkins.
He started to coach in 1957 at Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, Va.
Jenkins started to coach in South Carolina at Carlisle Military School in Bamberg from 1961 to 1965. He joined York High School in 1965 as athletic director, assistant principal, head football coach along with cross country and track and field coaching duties.
He served as a coach at Rock Hill High School from 1968 to 1971. From 1971 to 1974 Jenkins served as coach at Northwestern High School. He continued to coach until 1995 when he retired, according to his resume.
"I still think it is the purest sport of all," said Jenkins, who resumed coaching at South Pointe four seasons ago.
Jenkins has been married to Margaret Henderson Jenkins for 50 years.
"It takes away so much time from family," said Jenkins. "I don't know how much time I have left."
The veteran coach received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1957. He received his Masters in Education from then Winthrop College in 1970.
Read an article about Jenkins' retirement in today's Rock Hill Herald at this link.