SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel University Athletics announced the hiring of a new Cheer coach, as well as the hirings of five assistants across a trio of sports.
Sydney Jenkins joins Evangel Athletics as the new head Cheer coach, after serving as the Head HS Cheer coach for Nixa for over two years. A graduate of Evangel in 2021, Jenkins stated, "I am incredibly grateful to return to Evangel University as the head cheer coach. As an Evangel alumna, it is a blessing to come back to a place that had such a large impact on my life. I look forward to investing in our student-athletes, pursuing excellence together, and building a program that reflects Christ through servant leadership, integrity, and teamwork. I am excited for this new chapter and thankful for the opportunity to serve the Evangel community!"
Stan Jacocks joins the Valor Men's Basketball coaching staff as Bert Capel's assistant, bringing several years of experience to Evangel's program. Jacocks rejoins the Valor staff after serving as a coach with Springfield Catholic and Nixa and served as an assistant with Evangel from 2016-22.
Jonathan Gonzalez joins the Valor Football coaching staff as a Linebackers coach after several coaching stops, including Andrew College (WR Coach/Director of Football Ops.), Hampton University (Asst. WR Coach), and Bridgewater College (WR Coach). A native of Brooklyn, New York, Gonzalez graduated from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in 2017.
Chris Bodoin joins the Valor Football coaching staff as a Defensive Backs coach, after serving as a Physical Education teacher and a head coach for various sports all over the Ozarks, with his latest stop being at Aurora High School. A 2006 graduate of Evangel, Bodoin played four years with EU, earning All-American honors, and was named as a Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Elite 11 winner in 2023.
Ethan Buck joins the Valor Football coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2026, after serving as the Head Football Coach & Athletic Director at Trinity. A Kansas City native, Buck earned his degree from Mission University in Springfield and currently pastors at Fordland First Baptist Church.
Nick Scott joins the Valor Women's Soccer coaching staff as the goalkeepers coach, after assisting the team in the Spring. Scott is the Owner and Director of Goalkeeping for Six Yard Society, Springfield's largest private goalkeeper training academy. He previously served as Goalkeeping Director for FC Legacy and has worked as Head Goalkeeper Coach for multiple clubs throughout the Southwest Missouri area, developing goalkeepers from youth through collegiate levels.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, X (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.
—#OneValor—
