By Kyle Roberts
After being formally released from his contract with Ouachita Parish Schools, former West Monroe and Ouachita head coach Todd Garvin has officially returned to the Ruston sideline and will be traveling with the Bearcats to Cabot, Ark., Friday night.
“He’s a really good math teacher and a really good football coach,” Ruston High principal Dan Gressett said. “We have hired him and it is official today.”
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’s public response has been maintaining that all practices were within the guidelines of the LHSAA.
Despite the relieving of duties as head coach of West Monroe, Gressett echoed that there were no concerns hiring Garvin, citing the previous stint of Garvin teaching and coaching at Ruston in the past.
“I know him personally, and we have no concerns,” Gressett said.
Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh echoed Gressett’s comments about Garvin rejoining the school.
“I have known Todd for over 25 years,” Baugh said. “I think he’ll be a great addition to the football staff and the school. He’s going to come back and do some things for the school that he had done before, and I think they were pleased with him then. I know he’s looking forward to moving on to the next step and I’m happy that he’s here.”
Garvin is projected to coach tight ends and h-backs.
