Coach Bertram Jenkins was from Gulfport and received his English Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1947 and his Masters Degree from the University of Alabama in 1949. Bertram was unable to play sports in college due to a wound he suffered in World War II. During the Battle of the Bulge, he was captured by the German army, where he lost his leg as a result. Coach Jenkins spent 11 years as a junior high coach before getting the head basketball coaching job at Gulfport High School. In 28 years as a coach at Gulfport, Jenkins teams won 7 state championships and 13 Big Eight Titles. His overall record at Gulfport was 866-180, a winning percentage of 82.8 percent. His teams enjoyed three 40 win seasons, 18 30 win seasons, and 25 20 win seasons. He was named National High School Coach of the Year in 1965, 1970, 1976, and 1989. Coach Jenkins passed away on September 24, 2015.