The Bobcat Nation

JEROME JENKINS WILL NOT RETURN AS MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

3/7/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State Athletics Department announced today the contract for head men’s basketball coach Jerome Jenkins will not be renewed.

Jenkins recently completed his eighth year as the Hornets’ head coach and produced an 80-147 overall record, including a 4-24 mark this past season.

“I believe a change in leadership is necessary to make the program more competitive in the Big Sky Conference and to create a synergy between the basketball program and the greater Sacramento community,” Sacramento State Director of Athletics Terry Wanless said. “We appreciate the years Jerome has given to Hornet basketball.

“While the program has seen its best NCAA Div. I years under his guidance, it has failed to keep pace with that success.”

After posting records of 5-22 and 9-19 during his first two years as head coach, Jenkins led the Hornets to four consecutive Big Sky Conference Tournament appearances (2002-06), including semifinal berths in 2003 and 2006.

A national search for the new head coach will begin immediately.

JENKINS YEAR-BY-YEAR (Overall, Big Sky Conference Records)

2000-01 -- 5-22, 2-14
2001-02 -- 9-19, 3-11
2002-03 -- 12-17, 5-9 - Big Sky Tournament Semifinals
2003-04 -- 13-15, 7-7 - Big Sky Tournament Quarterfinals
2004-05 -- 12-16, 8-6 - Big Sky Tournament Quarterfinals
2005-06 -- 15-15, 5-9 - Big Sky Tournament Semifinals
2006-07 -- 10-19, 5-11
2007-08 -- 4-24, 2-14
Overall -- 80-147, 37-81

Former WSU coach Joe Cravens is a possible target for Sac State...

'Bout time is all I have to say.

Although I think Joe Cravens would be a step up I think Jerome is a better coach than his record shows. Sac State is notoriously athletic and has always caused matchup problems for certain teams. Didn't they have the NCAA dunk champion a couple years back?

I am going to really miss Jerome's unique style in the BSC. I hope he picks up somewhere.

Any thoughts on what influence this may have on Vinnie Mcgee? Will he stay or was he Jenkins guy and now may decide to transfer?

Weltercat wrote:Although I think Joe Cravens would be a step up I think Jerome is a better coach than his record shows. Sac State is notoriously athletic and has always caused matchup problems for certain teams. Didn't they have the NCAA dunk champion a couple years back?

I am going to really miss Jerome's unique style in the BSC. I hope he picks up somewhere.

Jameel Pugh

There are some very worried people around here that think Vinnie might up and leave with Jenkins or decide to play at a JC for a year and get into a better situation. It would be a killer to lose the Freshman of the Year.

But, he's from the bay area and always has tons of family at the games, so we're hoping that will convince him to stay here.

Kadeezy wrote:There are some very worried people around here that think Vinnie might up and leave with Jenkins or decide to play at a JC for a year and get into a better situation. It would be a killer to lose the Freshman of the Year.

But, he's from the bay area and always has tons of family at the games, so we're hoping that will convince him to stay here.

Vinnie is a player, and I definitely could see him playing at the next level at a bigger school. Maybe not a star, but surely a guy who would have some impact at a school like Cal or USC. I compared him in another thread to Rodney Stuckey, and I still think it fits. Vinnie is a pure of a shooter as I have seen in the Big Sky. If he stays at Sac. State and you guys can nab a solid guy at head coach, the Hornets could be real dangerous in the next few years. I think you have as many athletes as any other BSC team, and Cravens would be a steal at HC.

Old Skool Cat wrote:

Kadeezy wrote:There are some very worried people around here that think Vinnie might up and leave with Jenkins or decide to play at a JC for a year and get into a better situation. It would be a killer to lose the Freshman of the Year.

But, he's from the bay area and always has tons of family at the games, so we're hoping that will convince him to stay here.

Vinnie is a player, and I definitely could see him playing at the next level at a bigger school. Maybe not a star, but surely a guy who would have some impact at a school like Cal or USC. I compared him in another thread to Rodney Stuckey, and I still think it fits. Vinnie is a pure of a shooter as I have seen in the Big Sky. If he stays at Sac. State and you guys can nab a solid guy at head coach, the Hornets could be real dangerous in the next few years. I think you have as many athletes as any other BSC team, and Cravens would be a steal at HC.

Just like most other low mid-majors, we're one inside threat away from being BSC title contenders. But we all know how hard it is to find Lance Allreds, Al Beyes (RIP), Andrew Straits, and Seamus Boxleys. They're definately hard to come by.

If we could get Cravens, then have McGhee (6'0) at PG with Loren Leath (6'3) at SG, Darnell Fergusson(6'5) at the SF, Justin Eller(6'8) or a healthy Curtis Harrison(6'8) at the PF, and player to be named later (6'9+) at C, we would be imposing.

Also, it would be nice to have a traditional line up! Rather than the undersized street ball we've become accustomed to here in Sacramento.

Next year, presumably, we'll see the return of Roderick Adams (two-yaer starter), Curtis Harrison (one-year starter), and Yannick Kasongo... (all lost for the year within the first four games this year)

On top of that Boone from Portland State name is being mentioned predominately for the Oregon State job.

mslacat wrote:On top of that Boone from Portland State name is being mentioned predominately for the Oregon State job.

Ken Bone is outta there. GUARENTEED