Jenkins named football coach for New Smyrna Beach High

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick (far left) and courtesy photo near left.

Lance Jenkins, 5-5 in his first and only season at Jensen Beach in Palm Beach County, returns to New Smyrna Beach to coach the NSB High 'Cudas. He replaces Rocky Yocam who stepped down earlier this year. The 'Cudas advanced to the playoffs this past season before bowing out to eventual state champion Dwyer High School of Palm Beach Gardens, 42-6, in December.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- After nearly a decade's abscence, Lance Jenkins is returning to the sidelines of 'Cudas football as the new head coach.

Jenkins, offensive coordinator at New Smyrna Beach in 1999 and 2000, leaves Jensen Beach after his inaugural season there at 5-5 for the greener gridiron of New Smyrna Beach, where he not only serve as head coach, but also as assistant athletic director. He tendered his resignation Friday, but is expected to stay at least through next week.

In an interview with the Palm Beach Post, Jenkins said "the job came open and they gave me an offer that I’d be crazy to turn down. I know everybody up there. I know the entire administration; they were all there when I was there. I was there during that heyday when they won 60 games in six years. I went 25-3 as the offensive coordinator.”

 Jenkins, who graduated from Merritt Island and coached there, as well as in Cocoa and New Smyrna Beach, told the Post he was not looking to leave Jensen Beach.

“But it was one of those deals, too good of a package to turn down, both financially and everything else," he said. "And it gets me closer to where I’m from."

Jenkins, hired from among 150 applicants, added in the Post interview: “I’m excited, but kind of torn. I have a little buyer’s remorse This is a great place and they’re going be a great team next year. The kids have been busting their butts. Someone is going to walk into a gold mine here.”

The Cudas under Yocam finished their 2009 season with an 8-5 record, winning the district title, including a deep run into the playoffs before a crushing defeat at the hands of powerhouse Dwyer. Yocam was head coach for three years.

Editor's Note: Here is video coverage of the final home playoff game won by the 'Cudas in the 2009 season.