Bio

Dillon (DJ) Jenkins comes to Eastern Florida State after two seasons at Southwestern Community College in Iowa, one as Associate Head Coach. He helped lead the Spartans during a successful 2017-18 run, ending with a record of 29-8 overall and finishing number three in the nation at the NJCAA DII National Championship in Danville, IL. He was also instrumental in the development of Division I prospect Gatdoar Kueth, who is continuing his career at Division I Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA.

Prior to Southwestern, Jenkins and his father established Peoria Quest Charter Academy's basketball program when the high school was built in 2012. The two were handed a group of players from a 15-man freshmen team, some of which had never played basketball. Within four years, the Gators of Peoria Quest Charter Academy had moved to varsity basketball and appeared in the IHSA Class 1A state rankings, reaching as high as seventh in the state in their second varsity year. During the 2015-16 season, they posted a 20-11 record and won their first regional championship in school history. The Gators made it to the Illinois Class 1A Sweet Sixteen before falling in the sectional championship game.

The Jenkins' and their Gators did not stop there though. During the 2016-17 season, they won another IHSA Class 1A Regional Championship. The Gators again marched all the way to the Illinois Class 1A Sweet Sixteen, falling in the sectional championship with a record of 28-5. They were ranked first in the state in IHSA Class 1A for more than six weeks, finishing the year ranked fourth. During their three varsity seasons with the Jenkins' coaching duo at the helm, the Gators accumulated a record of 61-30. The Gators not only succeeded on the court, but also excelled in the classroom. The team posted a team grade point average of 3.2 during the 2016-17 season, with three of their seniors ranked in the top 10 of their graduating class, as well as a 100% graduation and college acceptance rate in his two senior classes.

While coaching at Peoria Quest, Jenkins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Bradley University, in Peoria, IL, earning Dean’s List honors three times in his academic career. He was also employed as middle school physical education teacher at Peoria Quest Charter Academy during 2016-17. Jenkins has been invited and worked at basketball camps for youth from grades 5-12 at Division I universities including the University of Wisconsin in 2018 and 2016, University of Iowa in 2018, and the University of Notre Dame in 2016. In April 2017, Jenkins and his father coached at the Speaks Basketball Senior All-Star game in Jacksonville, IL.