Remembering Bob Jenkins, 1933 – 2013

HeraldOnline.com Obituary, written by Andrew Dys

Bob Jenkins, the hall of fame track coach who spent more than four decades coaching high school athletes in Rock Hill and across South Carolina and the country, died Monday morning at age 79, his daughter said.

The annual York County track meet was named for Jenkins. He coached at Northwestern for almost 30 years before retiring in 1995, then took over the track program at South Pointe High when the new school opened. He had been named the national high school track coach of the year.

Jenkins was a lifelong advocate for athletics and academics, and was a mentor to runners who competed at the highest levels all the way up to the Olympics

Jenkins’ heart gave out in the wee hours Monday, his family said, and Rock Hill may never again see the likes of a man whose title was track coach but whose calling was life coach.

“He wanted every one of those kids to succeed,” said his wife of 54 years, Margaret. “He won when they won.”

Jenkins’ daughter, Meg, owns the Groucho’s deli on Cherry Road in Rock Hill across from Winthrop. On the outdoor deli signs Monday, put up by employees there who loved Coach Jenkins, and the customers, was the following: “Bob Jenkins is celebrating his final victory. We love you Coach. 1933-2013.”

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Statement from the University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina head track and field coach Curtis Frye shared the following statement on the passing of USTFCCCA Hall of Fame coach Bob Jenkins:

"It was difficult to learn the passing of Bob Jenkins today. The State of South Carolina, the University, and the Track and Field world will have a hard time with his loss. But for me, he was MY guy, I can never replace him. The South Carolina Track & Field program would never be what it is today without his support. Coach Jenkins regularly spoke on my behalf. He helped me be admitted to the 2004 Olympic staff along with many other endorsements. Bob Jenkins loved his state, his sport and his school and we surely loved him. His knowledge about South Carolina athletes and track and field programs in the state were in valuable and we certainly will miss his insights. The South Carolina Track & Field team and myself would like to express our sincere condolences to his family."

USTFCCCA Hall of Fame Bio

Bob Jenkins, a two-time national coach of the year, started track and cross country programs at five different high schools.

As of 2005, Jenkins had an overall record of 1021-185 (.847) as of 2005 and had coached seven state championship teams. His longest tenure was at Northwestern High School, where he coached from 1971-95. While there, Jenkins was a 14-time regional Track Coach of the Year, ten-time regional Cross Country Coach of the Year, six-time South Carolina Track Coach of the Year, four-time South Carolina Cross Country Coach of the year, National Track Coach of the Year, and National Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Jenkins spearheaded the development of cross country in the state of South Carolina, founding the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Association. In recognition of his achievements and contributions, he was selected as a National Team Coach in 1981 and 1982, and in 1997 and 1998, he coached on the U.S. Olympic Development Team.

He retired in 1995 but never strayed far from the track, continuing to serve as a frequent contributor at Northwestern High. He is a member of the York County Hall of Fame and was a charter inductee into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Jenkins came out of retirement in 2005 for yet another coaching challenge: starting the cross country and track & field programs at South Pointe High School.