Much local speculation was confirmed Monday, when Collinsville ISD announced that head baseball coach Derrick Jenkins has been placed on administrative leave.
Superintendent Matthew Davenport took to Facebook where he posted a letter saying the school district received a report of alleged inappropriate communication between Jenkins and a Collinsville ISD student.
Davenport said the district immediately contacted the Collinsville Police Department, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency State Board for Educator Certification.
“Collinsville ISD takes any allegations or charges involving a child seriously,” Davenport wrote. “The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We will continue to follow District protocols to comply with legal requirements.”
According to the letter, Jenkins is not permitted on any District property or to have any contact with students or staff during the ongoing investigation.
“We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and are committed to transparency as this case develops, within the limits of what the law allows us to share and while maintaining confidentiality for any victim, as required by law,” Davenport wrote.
According to the statement, Jenkins has been on leave since Oct. 20.
Speculation and online chatter abounded late last week after which the district posted their response Monday.
Jenkins has led the program to back-to-back state championships.
He has been at Collinsville since the 2021-22 school year, and his time in Collinsville has not been without controversy.
Jenkins missed the first 10 games of the 2024 season as part of the punishment the University Interscholastic League State Executive Committee handed down after Jenkins was ejected from a game while on probation for a second time during the 2023 season and third time in a year.
The UIL upheld the initial suspension by Collinsville ISD that included the final part of the Pirates’ ensuing season and extended Jenkins’ probation for two years and issued a public reprimand to go with additional training.
Collinsville ISD suspended Jenkins for 14 games, which included the rest of the 2023 playoffs that culminated with a state tournament appearance whereby Jenkins was not allowed to coach.
Assistants Christian Smith and Zach Howard were joined by athletic director Garrett Patterson in leading the program during Jenkins’ absence.
Jenkins was relegated to the dugout during the 2024 season. It was from there that he coached the Pirates to State Championship gold later that June.
He has 458 career wins and has had seven teams advance to state.
He took both Whitehouse and White Oak to the final four twice.
In four years, he has built the Pirates into a dynasty.
They have been to State three years in a row, won it twice and are favored to three-peat in 2026.
Davenport’s letter concludes, “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation. If you have a concern or information to report, please contact the Collinsville Police Department, Lt. Jon Cheshire at 903-429-6225 Ext. 110, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at (800) 252-5400.”