Corey Jenkins has been named the new director of athletics at Campbell University after eight years with the University of South Dakota, where he most recently served as deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. The appointment was announced by Campbell President William M. Downs on Friday, with an introductory news conference set for October 16 at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.
Jenkins arrives at Campbell with nearly 20 years of experience across multiple collegiate programs, including stints at Wake Forest, Florida State, and the University of Georgia. At South Dakota, he oversaw a broad range of athletic department functions such as development, marketing, ticket operations, and facilities management. His role included supervising 48 full-time staff and 17 graduate assistants, and he had direct involvement with football, men’s basketball, and triathlon programs.
During his tenure in South Dakota, Jenkins helped lead fundraising efforts that set new records for the department’s Calling All Coyotes auction, with proceeds increasing from $603,854 in 2024 to $900,359 in 2026. The athletics department also consistently surpassed ticket revenue goals over the past three academic years. Jenkins played a part in capital projects, including securing a $1.5 million naming-rights gift, and contributed to coaching hires, departmental restructuring, and name, image and likeness (NIL) operations.
South Dakota’s athletic teams experienced success during Jenkins’ time there. The Coyotes football team won its first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship in 2024, advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals that year, and reached the quarterfinals in 2025.
Campbell University’s president called Jenkins “a huge addition” to his leadership team, noting that his previous roles at the University of Georgia, Florida State, Wake Forest, and South Dakota gave him the “precisely the experience we need” to “strengthen our programs and renew a culture of championship excellence.” Downs emphasized Jenkins’ focus on improving the student-athlete experience, expanding resources, and elevating the competitiveness of all Fighting Camels teams.
Jenkins, who grew up in Athens, Georgia, earned a bachelor’s degree in sport studies from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in physical education. He spent 11 years at Wake Forest before joining South Dakota, beginning as assistant director of event management and facilities and later becoming assistant athletic director for events, facilities, and operations. His responsibilities there included managing football game operations and coordinating NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference championship events.
Returning to North Carolina played a significant role in Jenkins’ decision to accept the Campbell position. He said, “North Carolina is a special place for our family. It’s where I met my wife, and where our oldest son was born.” Jenkins added that upon arriving for the interview in Raleigh, he and his family “immediately felt like we had never left.”
Campbell’s athletics program recently transitioned from the Big South Conference to the Coastal Athletic Association in 2023. Since joining the CAA, Campbell has won several conference titles: the volleyball team captured its first CAA championship in 2025, softball won the 2024 regular-season title, and baseball secured the top seed in the 2026 CAA tournament after 39 wins. The women’s basketball team also reached the conference championship game in 2025 and made an appearance in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, winning its opening-round game.
Campbell is celebrating its 50th season as an NCAA Division I member in 2026-27, with 18 programs having advanced to NCAA championship competition during that span.
Downs said Jenkins stood out during the selection process because he “doesn’t just want to be an AD, he wants to be Campbell’s AD.” Jenkins called the opportunity “both humbling and an unbelievable blessing,” praising Campbell’s “proud history of championship-level success” and commitment to developing student-athletes into leaders.
Jenkins and his family are preparing to settle in Buies Creek and the surrounding Harnett County community, with Jenkins concluding his announcement with “Roll Humps!” The university’s next steps will include integrating Jenkins into the ongoing development and competitiveness efforts of its athletics department.
According to Yahoo Sports.