Carolyn Jenkins, an assistant coach with the Minnesota Lynx for five seasons, was hired by the WNBA as the new Director of Player Personnel. “C.J.” has made the move to New York City and will officially begin her new job today in the WNBA offices on Fifth Avenue. (Check out the official press release)

In her role as the WNBA’s Director of Player Personnel, Jenkins will be responsible for all player-related matters including collegiate and international player evaluation, a regional scouting program, pre-draft camp, rookie orientation and other player marketing programs throughout the year. She will also work with various other WNBA departments regarding league business. Jenkins will report to Renee Brown, WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations.

“As both a coach and player, Carolyn has long been involved with the growth of women’s basketball on many levels,” said Brown. “In joining the League office, she will work closely with our athletes on all player-related matters. We are thrilled to keep her in the WNBA family and are confident she will continue to help move the WNBA forward.”

Jenkins joined the Lynx in 2003 and served as an assistant coach under Suzie McConnell Serio and Don Zierden. Following McConnell Serio's departure in July 2006, Jenkins took over as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season and led the Lynx to a 2-9 record in that span. She returned to her role as an assistant coach upon Zierden's arrival in 2007. In this role, she oversaw all scouting to evaluate talent for the draft as well as advance scouting during the WNBA season. She was also responsible for individual player workouts and conditioning, supervised video editing and assisted with trade scenarios. During her tenure, she helped guide the Lynx to their first-ever playoff appearances in 2003 and 2004.

Lynxbasketball.com talked to C.J. recently while she was in the middle of making her move to New York City about her decision to accept the position with the WNBA and about the five seasons she spent with the Minnesota Lynx organization.

What are your fondest memories with the Lynx?
My fondest memories of working with the Lynx were obviously helping the team make its first two playoff appearances in 2003 and 2004. We had a great group of players and staff to work with.

What will your role with the WNBA offices be?
As the Director of Player Personnel, I will have an opportunity to manage the league’s domestic and international scouting program and act as the point person for communication with all current and former players. I will also help in the selection of players that will attend the draft combine and work with other staff members in planning and running the draft and the events that surround it.

As a West Coast native, how do you feel about moving to New York City?
I’ve always been a big believer in experience being the best teacher. I have had the opportunity to live on the West Coast as well as the Midwest (Michigan and Minnesota), so I look at this as the perfect time to experience the Big Apple. I am very excited about the opportunity to live in the most diverse culture in the United States.

Knowing that you'll be able to see more of your beloved New York Yankees play in the House That Ruth Built, how much does that add to the excitement of the move to the Big Apple?
I’ve always loved following a winner, and the Yankees obviously have a superb tradition of excellence. Although my job will require a tremendous amount of travel, I hope to find the time to take in not only a Yankees game, but also watch the U.S, Open, as I am an avid tennis fan.

Which college senior do you think would be best for the Lynx to take with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft?
This is a very deep draft and by the time the draft rolls around in April, several rosters changes will have been made throughout the league via expansion draft, free agency, trades, etc. Therefore, there are several factors involved with the selection at No. 3. But, I am confident that Roger Griffith and Don Zierden will work hard in this offseason to identify the players that will best help the Lynx in 2008 and beyond.

Aside from Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles, who are some of the college seniors that fans may not know a lot about, but that you think will make big impacts in the WNBA in 2008?
Players such as Tasha Humphrey, Candice Wiggins, Crystal Langhorne, Alexis Hornbuckle, and Matee Ajavon are certainly capable of being in the top half of this draft class. I believe they all have the potential of making impacts on their teams if all goes well.

What message would you like to leave with Lynx fans as you prepare to leave Minnesota for life in New York?
I would like to thank all of the loyal Lynx fans who made feel welcome here in Minneapolis. The Lynx have a very committed and passionate fan base, and it has been a privilege for me to work in such an outstanding community.

After five years in Minneapolis, there are bound to be some things that you will miss about the Twin Cities. What are you going to miss most?
My two favorite restaurants in town are Keys Café and Rock Bottom Brewery, where they know me by my first name! I will miss eating there, but the good part about this job is I have to travel to visit each team in the league, so I will be back very soon.

You spent five years with the Lynx as an assistant coach, as well as interim head coach at the end of 2006. Which of those teams was your favorite to be a part of and why?
Each team presented its on unique experience, but obviously I had the greatest fun coaching the 2003 and 2004 squads primarily because of our success. However, I feel that the young group of players currently on the roster has the potential of taking the Lynx organization to new heights.

What does your future hold? Do you think you might eventually return to the sidelines or do you see this move as a step to a more significant front-office role in the near future?
Right now, I am 100 percent committed to giving a high level of service to the league office in the next few years. After that, if an opportunity arises in a front office with a new or existing team, then I will weigh my options at that time.

How do you think the Lynx will do in 2008? What do you think the future holds for the Lynx beyond 2008?
As I said before, there is a great amount of talent on this current roster, and the Lynx have a tremendous opportunity to add experience via free agency. With almost 70 percent of the current players in the league entering free agency this offseason, there is an excellent chance that the Lynx could put together a squad that can contend for a title in 2008.