Brian Jennings enters his second season serving concurrently as the Head Coach of Cairn's Men's and Women's Cross Country programs in 2023.
In his first year at the helm in 2022, Jennings led the women to a second-place finish at the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship meet, while the men earned a third-place finish in that same meet. Under Jennings' guidance, four Highlanders earned All-Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) recognition, highlighted by CSAC Rookie of the Year honors going to freshman AyliGrace Munro.
Jennings is a Cairn University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. He has been married to his loving wife Eva for nearly 14 years and currently serves as the Senior Project Manager for Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc.
Coach Jennings has been an avid runner most of his life and has run in races ranging from 200 meters to marathons. Initially, running was a way to maintain his strength and conditioning for other sports. Brian began racing in his elementary school years, but his passion and love for cross country did not begin until his sophomore year of High School at Chestnut Hill Academy in 1996 when he joined their cross country team to prepare for the upcoming basketball season. During his High School career, he was one of the top runners, received the Most Improved Runner award as a junior, and was elected to be a captain his senior year.
After High School, Brian continued training and running on his own as he traveled around the world for work and leisure. Jennings also participated in various racing events until 2010 when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle to work which damaged his spine. Jennings was told that he may never be able to run again. However, by the grace of God and six years of physical therapy, Jennings was able to lace up his running shoes once again.
In 2017, while serving as an elder at Langhorne Presbyterian Church, Jennings felt called to return to academia to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. During the admission process, Brian learned that he still had full eligibility and was able to join Cairn’s Cross Country Team. As the most seasoned runner from 2017 to 2021, Brian helped his team place second in the CSAC his first year and win two consecutive CSAC championships thereafter. As an individual runner for Cairn, Jennings was awarded the CSAC sportsmanship award twice, was appointed captain for his final two seasons, and received the Highlander Award his senior year.
The Cairn Cross Country coaching staff is committed to the development of student athletes in an integrated environment, where growth is measured in more than just wins or race results, but in fulfilling the mission of the University “to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character.” Although running can rely heavily on individual interest, goals, and determination, it is from the community of runners that each individual draws their strength. We want students to experience running in a way that transcends sport and becomes a lifestyle that is glorifying to God.
