By Kyle Roberts and Malcolm Butler

With rumors circulating yesterday that former West Monroe head coach Todd Garvin had rejoined the Ruston High staff following his dismissal from his position with the Rebels, RHS principal Dan Gressett confirmed Tuesday night that this was not the case.

A media outlet in Ouachita Parish posted on social media late Tuesday afternoon that Garvin was joining the Bearcats staff as the tight ends coach, posts that were taken down a few hours later.

“Rumors of us having hired Todd Garvin are false,” said Gressett. “He isn’t even available for hire at this point.”

Garvin was relieved from duties as head coach of West Monroe on Sept. 11 after being placed on administrative leave following a string of football players requiring medical attention, which some online attributed to intense workouts during some of the hottest days of the year in the last month.

Garvin is currently still under contract with Ouachita Parish Schools.

Garvin was an assistant for Jerrod Baugh for three seasons as an offensive coach for running backs and quarterbacks. West Monroe hired Garvin officially in May of this year after longtime head coach Jerry Arledge stepped down in April of 2023, making him the third head coach hired for the Rebels in over three decades.

Ruston and West Monroe will play at Rebel Stadium on Friday, Nov. 3, for the regular season finale. The Bearcats ended a long streak of Rebel wins in 2022 en route to an appearance in the state championship game.