Ross Jenkins - Football Coach - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Ross Jenkins

Title:
Tight Ends

Updated January 2026

Ross Jenkins, a former Louisiana Tech quarterback, is in his first season as a member of Mason’s coaching staff. Jenkins has the title of tight ends coach.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
At Middle Tennessee, tight ends, 2026-present
• Date Hired: Jan. 29, 2026

At Southeastern Louisiana, assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/tight ends, 2018-25
• Coached one of the top tight ends in school history in 2019, as senior Bransen Schwebel finished with 50 catches for 609 yards and four touchdowns on the way to earning All-Southland and All-Louisiana honors. As the special teams coordinator, Jenkins helped Devonte Williams earn All-Southland Conference honors as a punt returner.
• In the 2020 season that was played in the spring of 2021, Jenkins worked with three All-Southland Conference performers. Tight end/fullback Damien Dawson, Austin Dunlap and Rengifo were all selected among the league’s best under Jenkins’ tutelage.
• In 2021, all members of his special teams units earned All-Southland Conference honors. Dunlap and kicker Mateo Rengifo were both repeat selections among the league’s best, while SLC Freshman of the Year Gage Larvadain was a first team All-Southland and All-Louisiana selection at kick returner.
• The 2022 Lions ranked among the FCS leaders in kickoff return average (24.3, 12^th) and net punting average (39.9). Dunlap was 10^th nationally in punting average, Riley Callaghan was eighth in field goals per game and 10^th in field goal percentage, while kick returner Gage Larvadain was 18^th in kickoff return average. All three earned All-Southland Conference accolades under Jenkins’ tutelage. His 2022 tight end corps was led by Ivan Drobocky, who caught a team-high six touchdowns. Drobocky was an All-Southland, SLC All-Academic and HERO Sports Sophomore All-American choice under Jenkins’ direction.
• In 2023, Jenkins led a Southeastern special teams that finished among the FCS national leaders in net punting (41.32, 4^th) and punt return average (13.81, 19^th). Punter Austin Dunlap finished seventh in punting average and Darius Lewis was 10^th nationally in punt return average, as both were All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana selections under Jenkins’ leadership.
• All-American Darius Lewis led FCS with 18.5 yards per punt return in 2024 and was joined on the All-SLC first team by kick returner Brandon Hayes, who was 13^th nationally with 26.7 yards per kickoff return. Kicker Riley Callaghan (17-22 FG) and punter Alec Mahler (45.6 yards per punt) were both second team All-Southland choices. Lewis, Hayes and Mahler also represented the Lions on the All-Louisiana squad.
• Jenkins was a finalist for FCS Special Teams Coach of the Year, as the Lions led the nation in punt returns (18.22), while ranking in the FCS top 20 in blocked punts (3, 9^th), kickoff return defense (15.61, 8^th) and kickoff returns (24.11, 17^th).
• Finished No. 1 in the Southland Conference in Special Teams as the team made an appearance in the FCS Playoffs
• Coached all-conference players Cade Collier (TE & LS) and Brandon Hayes (KR) in 2025

At Lake Erie College, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/recruiting coordinator, Feb. 2018 – June 2018
• Handled the offensive scheme and personnel

At Wingate University, wide receivers/recruiting coordinator, 2013-17
• During his time at Wingate, he was also in charge of the kick return units and coached all returners. In 2017, one of his charges, BJ Muckelvene, was a second team AFCA All-American selection
• The Bulldogs won the South Atlantic Conference championship in 2017, ranking 24^th in the final national polls after a NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Jenkins also coached wide receiver Jordan Berry to four All-Conference seasons during his time at Wingate

At Murray State, wide receivers, 2012
• Coached MSU all-time leading receiver Walter Powell who earned all-conference honors, was No. 1 nationally in all-purpose yards and was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft

COACHING EXPERIENCE
• 2011: Eastern New Mexico (graduate assistant)
• 2012: Murray State (wide receivers)
• 2013-17: Wingate (wide receivers/recruiting coordinator)
• 2018: Lake Erie College (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/recruiting coordinator)
• 2018-25: Southeastern (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/tight ends)
• 2026-Present: Middle Tennessee (tight ends)

Personal
• Birthdate: Jan. 29, 1988
• Hometown: Houston, TX
• Wife: Sara
• Children: Tatum and Briar

Education
• High School: Langham Creek High School
• College: Louisiana Tech, Bachelor of Science, 2010

Playing Experience (QB)
• Louisiana Tech (2006-10)

Bowl Experience
• 2008: Independence Bowl (player)