Meet Northwest High’s boys basketball coach, Instagram guru

C.J. Jenkins is the man behind @mocohoops

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March 27, 2026 10:33 a.m.

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Sitting in the stands of the Montgomery College gymnasium in Rockville, Northwest High School boys varsity basketball head coach Calvin “C.J.” Jenkins set up his phone Wednesday night to live stream the Montgomery County Senior All Star Game to more than 2,000 of his Instagram followers @mocohoops.  

Jenkins is responsible for nearly everything involved in the game, from the announcements to making sure the camera angle is just right for the live stream. In addition to his Instagram page dedicated to the county’s boys basketball scene, he juggles his coaching duties, his job as a paralegal and being a father of three.  

“There are definitely some nights that I’m back and I’m just absolutely exhausted,” he said. “But nothing replaces being able to have your sons come into practice and your team freaking pretty much accept them as one of their own.” 

Jenkins’ basketball career started at the Germantown high school. He graduated in 2002 and remains one of the all-time leading scorers, rebounders and shot blockers for the Jaguars. He earned a scholarship to play Division II basketball at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, graduating in 2007.  

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Professionally, he played for several years for teams in Romania, Germany and Mexico. 

When he retired from playing, Jenkins returned to Montgomery County and realized he wanted to give back to the community that helped him grow his love for the game. 

“I wanted to be a coach here in the county to teach and give some of those guys the same opportunities I had, you know, coming up,” Jenkins told Bethesda Today in a phone interview. 

He started coaching junior varsity basketball at Northwest in 2018, and returned to coach varsity in 2025, after two years as a varsity head basketball coach at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. This year, the Jaguars finished 12-12 in the second round of the state playoffs to Seneca Valley.  

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​​​​​Jenkins started the Instagram page @mocohoops in early 2025. At the time, a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) ​​​​basketball page existed and Jenkins was supportive.  

“We had a couple of guys who were doing it from the beginning of the season,” he said. When the page went silent after a few months, Jenkins took initiative. “So I was like, you know what? I might as well start from the ground up with it.” 

​​Jenkins dove into the project, posting everything from nightly scores and highlights to player profiles with extra attention to detail, including grade point averages to attract college recruiters. He makes sure to keep his followers updated, posting standings and player rankings as chosen by fellow MCPS coaches.​     ​​ 

​​“I don’t really know how he has the time, especially with a family, to be able to do it,” said Brandon Howell, boys basketball head coach at James Hubert Blake High School in Cloverly. “But it’s greatly appreciated.” 

The Instagram page has given other coaches an avenue to promote success, too. When Jenkins announced the MCPS all-county team, he made sure to mention that each player was nominated by their coach and then voted on by MCPS coaches countywide. ​​​​ 

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He uses the page to get student-athletes to understand that in the current climate of high school sports, MCPS teams may offer more playing time and leadership opportunities than those at more competitive private schools. 

“I’ve always been, whatever opportunity is best for you,” Jenkins explained. “But for a lot of these kids, I mean, they don’t realize the amazing opportunity that they have, right?” 

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine