FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Justin Jenkins, the 2019 Lone Star Alliance Division I Coach of the Year, is stepping down as the head coach at Arkansas.
Jenkins will be relocating to Buffalo, N.Y., to pursue a job opportunity and be closer to his wife’s family.

Justin took over as head coach during the 2015-2016 season and leaves Arkansas as the winningest coach in program history. During his tenure he posted a 29-23 record (55.7 win percentage) and brought the Razorbacks to two playoff appearances within those four years.

Prior to Justin’s arrival the Razorbacks went 26-50 (.342 win %) in the prior nine years and never appeared in the post season.

Justin, a Mass., native moved to the Northwest Arkansas area in 2012 for a position at Walmart’s headquarters. He became the coach for the local high school team and led them to a 31-13 record over three years and made it to back to back conference championship games. He followed a few of his high school players to the University of Arkansas and began to rebuild their program.

“I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to coach such as great group of student athletes,” said Jenkins. “We coached the best we could and tried to put the guys in the best position to win. The players sacrificed a lot for me and their teammates and if it wasn’t for them and our staff – Glenn Kelley, Tabor Dugger and Mackenzie Turnbull – we wouldn’t have been able to achieve such a great level of success so quickly.”

Turnbull, the former offensive coordinator, will take over as the new head coach for the Razorbacks next season, as they intend to make another big run towards the conference championship. After only graduating one senior this season, expectations are high for the team.

“I am going to miss the bus rides, 5:30am workouts, hotel break out meetings and practices with all the guys,” added Jenkins. “Leaving them at this point in their progress is extremely difficult. I have full confidence in Coach Mac, the team captains and players to continue the success on the field and continue to win.

“I would like to thank LSA director Jason Zantjer. His support helped Arkansas become successful when we first joined the conference. I would be remiss if I did not thank my wife a million times over. Ann has been an absolute saint during my coaching tenure. She was just as dedicated to this team as I was and always supported me. Without her, 13,000 miles on buses and travel weekends over the past four years wouldn’t be possible, it’s never easy being the wife of a coach. I am forever grateful for her.”