Nay’ron Jenkins, former Florida A&M University football team defensive captain. (Photos provided with permissions from Taylor Adams)
Nay’Ron Jenkins was ready to put the pads back on for one more season at Florida A&M University.
After a NCAA eligibility ruling gave Jenkins another year, the former Rattler returned to practice and began preparing to play football again. For a week, he worked to get his legs back under him and allowed himself to get excited about returning to the field.
Then, after waking from a nap, Jenkins saw an ESPN notification about the NCAA ruling and a text message on his phone. The opportunity he had spent time preparing for was suddenly gone. Instead of leaving the program, Jenkins traded his helmet for the headset and began a new chapter as a graduate assistant at the place where he once played.
“I love football. I love FAMU,” Jenkins said. “Being here for four years straight, I had a lot of loyalty to this place.”
Jenkins’ transition from player to coach has given him a new perspective on leadership and brought him closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a head coach.
His experience as a player has become one of his greatest assets as a coach. Not long ago, Jenkins was one of the players in the locker room. Now, he is learning how to lead and teach the same teammates he once stood beside.
Florida A&M defensive coordinator Ryan Lewis Sr. has noticed that transition.
“His character and his integrity,” Lewis said. “You can tell he was raised right and does the things the right way.”
For linebacker Darrick McGhee Jr., who played alongside Jenkins, the change has not altered the relationship they built as teammates.
“I don’t think the adjustment has been a drastic change, because when I first got here, [Jenkins] was always the guy looking out for me and making sure I was in the best position to succeed,” McGhee said. “So with him being a coach now, I think it’s honestly 10 times better because he’s able to see things from a coach’s perspective instead of just a player’s perspective.”
McGhee said Jenkins remains someone he can rely on.
“Personally, it hasn’t really been different because at the end of the day, he’s like a big brother to me,” McGhee said. “I know I can always call him if I need anything, so that relationship hasn’t changed.”
Lewis believes Jenkins’ experience as both a player and leader will help him grow as a coach.
“The good leaders are good teachers,” Lewis said. “I think he is a good leader because he was a good follower at one point. A great follower.”
When the possibility of returning to the field emerged, Jenkins leaned on his family, coaches and teammates. Their support remained even after he learned he would not play.
“I surround myself with great people.” Jenkins said. “They’re going to support me whether I play football, whether I don’t, whether I decide to sell insurance.”
Rather than viewing the change as the end of his football career, Jenkins sees it as another step in his journey.
“Everything happens for a reason, so I am grateful to still be around the team,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins remains focused on giving back to Florida A&M. Though his goal is to eventually lead a program as a head coach, the former four-year Rattler player has already embraced a new role serving his alma mater off the field.