Former West Monroe coach Todd Garvin joins Ruston High staff
Troubled high school football coach Todd Garvin, who was fired from his job at West Monroe earlier this week, has been hired as an assistant coach at West Monroe’s chief rival, Ruston High, according to Ruston principal Dan Gressett.
Garvin was released from his job as the Rebels’ coach just one game into his career at one of the state’s most prominent football programs after multiple athletes under his watch had heat-related issues. One lineman, who had just returned from a battle with COVID-19, went to the hospital on Labor Day. Garvin was fired the next day.
“Todd’s a great teacher and great coach,” Gressett told the USA TODAY Network. “He worked for us a few years ago and did a great job. We are excited to have him back.”
Previously the head coach at Ouachita Parish High School, Garvin took verbal shots at his principal, school superintendent and at least one of his assistant coaches during an interview with KNOE 8 sports director Aaron Dietrich following his firing.
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Still, Ouachita Parish Superintendent Todd Guice released him from his teaching contact Wednesday afternoon allowing Garvin to seek employment elsewhere.
Gressett, who left at 5:30 a.m. Thursday for an LHSAA meeting in Baton Rouge, said the hiring happened quickly.
“We didn’t get him hired until this morning,” Gressett said in a text. “I wasn’t allowed to speak on it until then.”
Jimmy covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's how Ruston High was able to hire West Monroe coach Todd Garvin
