How Jessica Jenkins Became the A-10’s No.1 Three-Point Shooter—And Why She Chose Coaching

What happens when one of the greatest shooters in Atlantic 10 history trades the net-scorching for whistle work? You get Coach Jessica Jenkins—Akron’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator—quietly (and relentlessly) building elite shooters and a winning culture.Hailing from Marion, Ohio, Jenkins became a legend at St. Bonaventure, drilling 338 career threes and leading the Bonnies to the 2012 NCAA Sweet 16. After a multi-year pro career overseas (Iceland, Wales/England league, Australia), she jumped into coaching and never looked back. Now in Year 11 of her coaching journey and Year 3 at Akron, she’s helping the Zips turn gym rats into game-winners.In this episode, you’ll hear:Origin Story: Growing up in the gym with a coach mom, learning to compete with older boys, and finding her lane as a pure marksman.Becoming “Dead-Eye”: How a blunt freshman-year meeting unlocked an All-A10 career—by living in the gym and perfecting footwork, conditioning, and release.Science of the Shot: Why you can teach shooting—and how Akron’s NOAH tech (arc, depth, left-right in real time) + reps + accountability builds confident, consistent snipers.Calm Over Chaos: Jenkins’ sideline superpower—never riding the wave. No panic after a cold stretch, no ego after a hot one; just the next right rep, read, and shot.Why Akron: Coming home to Ohio, partnering with head coach Ryan Gensler, and shaping a gritty roster that lives in the gym. Expect toughness, depth, and surprise performances.Recruiting & Development: What she values in players, how she builds shooter-first alter egos (“Dead-Eye” energy), and why relationships fuel everything.If you love women’s hoops, player development, or just a good “work works” blueprint, this conversation is pure gold. Press play to learn how Coach Jenkins turned a legendary jumper into a coaching edge—and why the Zips are a problem.Like what you hear?Follow the show, rate it, and share it with a hoops friend.Akron fans: drop an 👀 emoji in the comments so we know you’re rolling with the Zips!