East Bernard football coach Jeremy Jenkins and his wife Brandy, who were killed in a car crash Saturday night, are survived by their three sons. (Jeremy Jenkins / Facebook)
East Bernard ISD athletic director and head football coach Jeremy Jenkins and his wife, Brandy, were killed Saturday night in a crash on Texas 60 between Hungerford and East Bernard. The East Bernard Athletic Booster Club confirmed the couple's deaths Sunday on Facebook in a statement mourning the loss of Jenkins, whom it called the community's leader, and his wife, whom it described as one of the athletic program's "biggest and most unconditional supporters." "Coaches are supposed to live forever," the post said. "They're supposed to be there year after year - standing on that sideline, walking through the field house, coaching our kids, pushing them, believing in them and loving this community right alongside us." KULP Radio first reported the crash location. The Wharton County Constable's Office Precinct 2 reported responding to a collision involving an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle on Texas 60 at West Bernard Creek. The roadway was blocked following the crash. Authorities had not released additional information as of Sunday afternoon, including the time and cause of the collision or whether anyone else was injured. East Bernard ISD had not issued a public statement as of Sunday afternoon. Jeremy and Brandy Jenkins have three sons: Tyson, Gage and Jake. The booster club said the community's immediate focus would be supporting the boys and their family. "Right now, football doesn't matter," the statement read. "Wins don't matter. None of it does. What matters is surrounding these boys with the same kind of love and support their family has given to so many of ours." School districts and athletic programs across Texas offered condolences to the East Bernard community on social media Sunday. La Grange ISD described the tragedy as a "tremendous loss" affecting East Bernard ISD and its athletic family, while Cuero ISD said it was "deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news coming out of East Bernard." Andrews ISD Athletics also extended condolences to the district and football program.
Jeremy Jenkins was 20-7 in two seasons at East Bernard, including a run to the Class 3A Division II state semifinals last season. (East Bernard Athletic Booster Club / Facebook)
Jenkins was preparing to begin his third season leading the East Bernard football program. He guided the Brahmas to a 20-7 record over his first two seasons, including a run to the Class 3A Division II state semifinals in 2025. East Bernard began last season with three consecutive losses before winning 10 of its next 11 games. The Brahmas defeated Poth, Lexington and previously unbeaten Tidehaven during the playoffs before falling to eventual state champion Newton in the semifinals. East Bernard is scheduled to open the season Friday, Aug. 28, at home against Sweeny. Jenkins was hired by East Bernard in February 2024 after two seasons as athletic director and head football coach at Harmony High School in East Texas. He led Harmony to the Class 3A Division II state semifinals in 2022 and a 10-3 record the following season. Jenkins previously served as head coach at Mount Enterprise in 2019 and Tenaha in 2020 and 2021. He compiled a 67-24 record across seven seasons as a head coach. A Cayuga High School and UT Tyler graduate, Jenkins had worked in education for more than two decades. Brandy Jenkins had recently joined her husband at East Bernard ISD as a junior high teacher. "We will show up," the booster club wrote. "We will wrap our arms around these boys, their family, our coaches and our athletes. And we will carry one another through the days ahead." Subscribe There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢. This article originally published at East Bernard football coach Jeremy Jenkins, wife Brandy killed in car crash.